Perennial bush asters for spectacular garden decoration. Perennial asters - cultivation and care Alpine aster photo
Garden aster is the most recognizable and popular in Russia and neighboring countries. For your unpretentiousness easy care and outdoor cultivation without problems.
Asters are beautiful composite flowers, of which there are about 600 varieties. Perennial varieties begin their flowering quite late, so they are often called winter asters or oktyabrins. It depends on what form you decide to opt for, whether the aster will be in the form of a bush or a single flower. Plant height can reach up to 2 meters. Please the eyes of those around you bright colors asters start in early autumn. You can find inflorescences of the most various shades, they will change from white to purple.
Astra deserves universal admiration and delight. By by and large for diversity various sizes(from miniature and curb, to large and tall) and colors various forms flower.
Varieties of asters: perennials and annuals
In the endless list of species of this flower, you can find both perennial and annual plants.
annual Chinese aster
Annuals or Callistefus Chinese, as these varieties are called in the scientific literature, include: 
- Tubular varieties, the inflorescences of which are in the form of thin tubules.
- Transitions can be both reed and tubular.
- Reed petals are not narrow, but rather wide in the form of a tongue.
Tubular have petals pinnate and twisted into a tube
- Lilliput
- Astra flaxus
transitional there are those that are understandable even from the name, they have both tubes and tongues, are divided into simple, semi-double, coronal:
Simple asters, have a middle of yellowish tubular petals surrounded by several chains of straight reed forms.
- Chamomile, Peony aster, Ostrich feather and Margarita - for cutting;
- Chrysanthemum aster Apollo, Victoria, Duchez, Waldersee - casing.
Semi-double varieties due to the reed petals sticking up and to the sides have a three-dimensional shape and a well-defined middle. 
- Madeleine, Anemone - for cutting;
- Mignon, Victoria Baum, Anmut, Rosette - casing.
Coronal these are species with rather lush and fluffy flowers, the middle of which is practically invisible.
- Princess pink, Aurora, Princess Elena - for cutting into bouquets;
- Ambria, Venice, Venus Pompom, pion-shaped Silver Tower and Annushka - casing;
You will not be able to see the reed core with small yellowish pipes, since in these asters the flower has a magnificent spherical shape.
Reed species that consist of wide multiple petals, in turn, are also divided into several collected varietal groups: 
- Curly - have wide reed inflorescences that curl a little at the ends; Comet, Hohenzollern, Early Miracle, Market Queen, Versailles
- Radiated or radiant with sharp tongues that twist along the length without growing together; Rapture, Star, Radio
- Needle varieties - needle petals, thin and twisted. Valkyrie, Unicum, Riviera
- Tiled: Victoria, Midget, Dwarf Royal
- Spherical varieties: Dragon, Princess, Milady
- Hemispherical: American Beauty, Shenheite, Triumph, Pink Aster
dwarf the Tibetan aster blooms with numerous blue flowers, and the miniature Andersen grows quite tiny (no more than 8-10 cm) and blooms with delicate purple flowers.
Perennial bush aster
Perennial flowers differ from their predecessors in that they have rather tall bushes.
Tall varieties should be grown to decorate flower beds or to create a hedge. If the perennial is undersized, then it is suitable for borders or small flower beds.
Depending on the appearance and flowering period, perennial asters are divided into several categories. At the beginning of summer, the alpine aster begins to delight with its flowering, and at the end of the hot season, you can enjoy the unforgettable flowers of Italian varieties.
With the onset of autumn, the previous varieties are replaced by spray asters, blooming flowers of the most unpredictable and beautiful shades.
Types of perennial plants:
Alpine aster photo.
The height of this undersized species does not exceed 30 cm. It first appeared in the Alps. The flowers of the plant are located on one shoot and in their circumference can vary from 4 cm to 6 cm, outwardly similar to chamomile. The double center of the flowers is yellow and endowed with tubular petals. There are pink, purple and white shades of flowers. It blooms in early June and delights those around with its lush flowering for a month. Aster alpine flower perennial planting and care, which is not difficult at all, will delight you with its flowering for a long time.
It can serve as an excellent decoration for alpine slides or in flowerbed compositions next to undersized plants.
Common varieties: 
- Wargrave is a dwarf subspecies, barely reaching 25cm. It is a May flower, with pink chamomile petals and an amber core.
- Gloria. Even smaller than Wargrav. With a bright orange center and sky blue long petals (about 4 cm).
- Helen beauty Perennial alpine subspecies of dwarf growth 10-15cm. Small flowers saturated purple hues. It turns out interesting combination with iberis flowers and Chinese carnation.
- Albus - consists of multiple virgin white inflorescences.
- Dark Beauty curb aster dark - purple, blooms in last days July and continues to bloom until mid-August.
- Galliaf is a real alpine aster, often used for its intended purpose - on an alpine hill, it is also planted along paths and for rockeries. Long flowering with unusual lavender flowers.
Shrub or bush.
Bred this species on the territory of North America. All varieties that you will find in it have 20-60 cm shoots that are completely covered with foliage. 
The shrub aster is the species that will be the first to bloom in autumn period.
The most popular bush varieties include:
- Blue Bird is a short specimen (up to 20 cm) with sky-blue petals in the form of elongated tongues.
- Alba floor foam is a medium-sized species. It differs in the different structure of the petals, some lemon-yellow tubular, and others in the form of snow-white tongues.
New England aster.
The height of these varieties grows up to 2 meters. Lush blooms can be as red, white, pinkish-peach, so sky blue and deep purple.
With the onset of autumn, asters will delight you with their rich inflorescences, which are about 4 cm in diameter. These flowers can be used to create unforgettable bouquet arrangements that can live in water for several weeks.
- Purple House purple - lavender colors of flowers
- Apollo white Chinese aster
- Andenken & Alma Potschke bright pink petals coupled with yellow spot in the middle, excellent pink asters
New Belgian aster.
The height of these plants can vary from 35 cm and reach 1.5 meters.
It is characterized by small flowers that can be pale purple, lilac, pink, burgundy or white.
There is a dwarf (miniature), medium-sized and tall New Belgian aster.
- Marie Ballard blue aster
- Royal Ruby deep red
- Patricia Ballard dark pink aster
- Royal ruby red-ruby color
- Winston Churchill burgundy-red
- White Lady white flowers
Italian aster.
It is a bush no larger than 70 cm in size. You can find pink, lilac, yellow or dark blue flowers collected in basket inflorescences. In August, it begins to delight its owners with lush and abundant flowering.
- Italian Rudolf Goethe terry lilac - pinkish inflorescences
- Amalia or chamomile or European
How to properly plant and care
Perennial asters prefer neutral soil. In the event that you know or think that it does not have enough nutrients, then before planting the plants, such land must be fertilized, mainly using for this:
- Compost or humus (2-4kg)
- Ammonium sulphate and potassium salt (about 15-20 g each)
- Superphosphate from 20 to 30 g.
In no case do not plant plants in places where the soil is moist, as this often leads to the appearance of powdery mildew on the bush, and in the future its possible death.
These applied fertilizers are designed for one square meter areas where flowers will be planted. Do not overdo it with additives, this will not lead to anything good.
The place where you plan to plant asters must be thoroughly dug up, leveled and loosened. The distance between the planting samples should be maintained at about 20 cm. The dug holes should be of medium depth. After placing the seedlings in the hole, sprinkle them with earth and be sure to water them. They won't need watering for the next few days. After a few weeks, feed the asters with nitrogen fertilizers.
How to plant a perennial aster in autumn video:
How to care for asters grown in an open field garden
If you dream of growing asters, then this will certainly not be difficult for you.
To get started, look for seedlings open area well lit by the sun. Also, this place should pass moisture well so that there is no stagnation of water.
It should be borne in mind that the plant prefers to grow in places where it will not be disturbed by strong cold winds.
Having properly prepared the soil where your flower will grow, be sure that in further care behind it will be simple, even if you are a completely beginner grower.
If you plan to grow in your garden annual plant, then all you need is to remove weeds, loosen the ground and water it in a timely manner.
Advice!
When planting, try not to plant sprouts close to each other, as excessive planting density can lead to fungal infections.
With proper care, you should remove dried leaves and inflorescences from the plant in time. This should be done not in the evening, but in the morning or before lunch, so that the plant tissues have time to tighten. This procedure will help the emergence of new buds, and the excess supply of nutrients will not be used up.
Watering and feeding
Aster bushes are watered only at the moment when the soil around them is sufficiently dry, since excess moisture is too harmful for the plant. If you decide to plant a flower in the area where ground water or heavy soil, then be prepared for the fact that stagnant water will lead to rotting of the root system. It is imperative to loosen the soil, as this helps the plant to be saturated with oxygen. Removing all weeds is also necessary, because this reduces the risk of aster disease.
In case if summer period too hot, then mulch the soil so that the moisture lingers in it a little longer. For this procedure, dry leaves, sawdust or pine needles are suitable. 
Do not forget to feed the asters, which will allow them to produce beautiful and lush inflorescences. To do this, you can use mineralized fertilizers, which are: superphosphate, ammonium nitrate and potassium sulfate. No less useful wood ash. Avoid nitrogen fertilizers, because thanks to them the plant will actively grow foliage, while practically not releasing buds.
As a rule, fertilizers are applied both in dry form and after mixing them with water. For the first time, asters need to be fed a few weeks after planting. As soon as buds begin to appear on the plant, this is an indicator that it is necessary to fertilize the plant a second time. The third time to use top dressing is necessary at the moment when the buds have just blossomed.
How to propagate
Gardeners who decide to plant asters in their garden will certainly want to breed this wonderful flower. This procedure is carried out both with the help of seeds and thanks to the division of the bush.
Sow seeds annual varieties needed in spring time into the ground. But remember, you can store the seeds for no more than three years after you have collected them. Seeds of perennial asters should be sown immediately after they are collected.
Propagation by seedling
Seedlings allow you to get already gorgeous blooming asters by July. If you want seedlings to appear in the second half of May, then the seeds must be sown in recent weeks March, but not later than the beginning of April. In order for them to rise for sure, you need to follow the following rules:
Planting seedlings in open ground
Young growth should be planted in the garden in the second half of May, if the height of the seedlings is about 10-12 cm. The procedure is carried out in the evening, in the ground moist and mulched with sawdust or grass. To make the asters take root better, harden off the seedlings for a week.
The distance between tall pets should not be less than 30 cm. For low asters, 20 cm will be enough. Compliance optimal distance between the bushes will allow you to form a chic carpet of flowering asters.
The areas where you plan to plant asters should be well lit, and also be with light, dry soil, which will allow moisture to quickly leave. If you decide to plant flowers where you used to grow potatoes or tomatoes, then it is better to refrain from doing so. The fact is that after these plants, pathogens of some diseases that are dangerous for flowers may remain in the ground. When planting a plant, leave a growing point above the ground, and also do not bend the roots.
Seedless method from seeds
If you decide to stop at this option, then it should be borne in mind that asters need to be sown in two terms in early spring or with the onset of autumn. Using the first method, sowing should be carried out when the soil warms up enough and the threat of frost has passed. As a rule, this procedure takes place at the end of the April days or the beginning of May. If you decide to plant asters in the fall, then they will begin to bloom a little later, but the flowering will last longer and will be much more luxurious than in the first option.
Breeding by division
No less popular is the division of the bush, which is usually done in the spring. Such flowers will delight gardeners with their flowering in the fall. Separating an aster will not be difficult, and the plant itself is easy to relate to such a procedure.
Vegetative propagation is carried out only if the growing part that will be separated has 4 new stems, 1 bud and several roots.
How to protect perennial asters in winter
There are both frost-resistant types of asters and not. In order to cover the plant before the onset upcoming cold weather it is necessary to use spruce branches, peat or dry foliage. Before proceeding with the procedure, you need to remove all dry shoots. As soon as the winter has passed, the shelter must be removed, the soil loosened and watered.
Perennial plants can grow in one area for about five years. Five-year-old bushes must be dug up, the root system divided and seated. This procedure allows plants to avoid infection with various diseases.
Who can attack the Oktyabrins: diseases and pests
Most often, asters are infected with fungal diseases, which are:
- Fusarium.
A plant that has been affected by this disease begins to turn yellow, becomes weaker, and then fades. Unfortunately, it is impossible to deal with this disease. The only thing you can do is keep other plants from getting infected. To do this, dig up the affected aster and burn it. A five-year crop rotation will protect the plant from the disease.
On early stage you can see the disease only by paying attention to reverse side sheet. At later dates, swelling, wilting and drying of the leaves are observed. To avoid such an ailment or to cure a plant that is already infected, you will need a 1% solution of Bordeaux mixture.
- Blackleg.
This disease mainly affects only seedlings, but there are cases when adult plants are also attacked. The reasons can be both an excess of moisture in the soil, and an overestimated acidity of the soil. Plants that are infected start from the ground and turn black and rot. Those asters that have become infected must be removed and burned. The soil where they stayed healthy plants, watered with a fungicide solution and sprinkled with sand.
Carriers are cicadas and aphids. After infection, the foliage begins to turn yellow, and later chlorosis begins on it. To get rid of the disease, you will need insecticides that are used to treat healthy plants. All infected flowers are removed.
- Verticillosis, gray rot, powdery mildew.
Diseases that need to be treated with fundazol.
To protect your flowers from these pests, you must perform the following steps:
- IN autumn time be sure to dig up the ground.
- Do not forget to add lime, compost and humus to the soil.
- When planting plants, keep the distance between them.
- Dying perennials or faded annuals must be removed from the flower bed and burned.
- If any pests or diseases are found, be sure to treat the plants.
Application in landscape design photo
Astra perennial undersized planting and care, which is quite acceptable, is quite often used to decorate flower beds, borders and create hedges. Due to short stature, you can create unusual shapes and patterns or make a carpet of flowers, because if you follow all the necessary rules, these plants are able to delight you with their bright bloom and unforgettable forms.
They can be used both in group compositions with other plants, and planted in flower beds alone. Unusually, they will look next to dahlias or phlox. They also perfectly combine with carnations and other flowers, whose shapes are similar to asters.
Where is it better not to plant asters:
- Next to magnificent roses or lilies that will simply overshadow their delicate beauty.
- It is not recommended to plant in the place where tulips or other asters, potatoes or tomatoes used to grow. All of these plants can contribute to Fusarium infection.
- Do not plant under or near evergreen conifers because green needles can infect with nasty rust.
All wishes and precautions should be taken into account in order to grow high-quality and healthy specimens of perennial asters.
If you want to decorate your balcony, gazebo or porch, then compact varieties of asters that are planted in hanging pots are ideal for this.
The most common species used for home garden design are undersized perennials. Alpine aster occupies a leading position, as an unforgettable autumn lush bloom of this species does not allow you to take your eyes off the plant and allows you to compare with flowering.
Asters are flowers that begin to bloom in autumn and wither with the onset of winter. If you want to fill your garden with chic flowers that can delight you even with the onset of slight cold weather, then asters are best suited for this.
Reproduction of winter perennial asters by dividing the bush video:
There are many varieties ornamental plants, and today we will talk about one of the most unpretentious garden inhabitants. Aster shrub is a herbaceous annual or perennial that is rightfully loved by flower growers on all five continents.
The bushes, whose height varies from 20 to 100 cm, are covered with flowers of different sizes and shapes look very attractive!
Brief morphology
Astra bush is herbaceous plant living one year or more. Annuals belong to the genus Callistefus Chinese, and perennial flowers to the classical genus Asters.
Both have fibrous root system and a similar shape of the leaves - oval serrated. Flower baskets consist of inflorescences, where the marginal flowers are reed, and the median ones are tubular, as a rule, yellow.
Asters are extremely diverse, there are a huge variety of their varieties, and today there are about a thousand hybrids.
Aesthetics for your garden
Bush aster is used to decorate discounts, borders, alpine slides. Due to the different flowering times and the ability to transfer the budding period even to June with the help of seedlings, asters can decorate the garden with themselves for several months. Especially considering the ability of these plants to bloom until November. Of course, in middle lane such unpretentious, eye-pleasing bushes are at a premium.
Even if we are going to plant an aster in practically extreme north and we know for sure that she will not have time to bloom, since the buds will leave already under the first snow, it does not matter. Even unflowered bushes look very attractive and are often used as ornamental plants for flower beds. Good branching, many dark green serrated leaves make it a welcome guest in any garden.
And what can we say about the shrubby aster in bloom! Among the great variety of varieties - more than 400, you can easily choose those that fit into the landscape design of your particular flower garden.
Agrotechnics of bush aster
Location and watering
Herbaceous plants of the genera Callistefus and Astra prefer warm sunny clearings without drafts. A slight elevation to avoid stagnant moisture will be just right. The soil should be slightly dry, well drained and with an alkaline pH level.
We water the asters not often, but plentifully, using only warm water for this and trying not to get it on the leaves of the plant.
It is strongly not recommended to plant asters in the same place for several years - this leads to diseases. Perennial flowers need to be transplanted every 3 years for the same reason.
Landing
The unpretentiousness of these plants is legendary, however, today more and more professional gardeners are inclined to plant a bushy perennial aster immediately in open ground not worth it. It is better to grow it in seedlings in any way.
We already wrote about how to plant an aster in a snail and on ordinary seedlings, , so we won't dwell on it now. The main thing to remember is that at the time the seed planted in the seedlings will ensure the earlier flowering of the entire bush! Properly carried out processing of it and the soil will save you from diseases and pests.
Aster shrub, varieties
In order not to get confused in a huge number of aster varieties, experts offer a species classification according to flowering time. Consider the most popular types of this herbaceous perennial.
Summer bush asters
Based on the name, it is clear that all varieties of such flowers are considered early due to the flowering time, since the late ones are autumn.
Bessarabian
A medium-high spherical bush reaches a height of 80 cm. Flowering continues from July to the end of August. At this time, the aster is covered entirely with small, up to 3 cm in diameter flowers of a blue-violet hue.
Italian
Slightly lower than the previous one, up to 60 cm, but very similar to it. Flower baskets of similar color and size cover the bushes until the end of the summer months.
Alpine
This aster is rightfully considered the main decoration of alpine hills and rabatkas, due to the height of its miniature bushes - up to 20-25 cm. In season, up to 50-60 flowers appear on each with a diameter of 2 to 3 cm, such a cover looks very elegant .
Well, if you want asters to decorate the flower bed with their flowers in the fall before the onset of cold weather, we advise you to pay attention to the following varieties.
Aster shrub
It is considered one of the most decoratively attractive varieties, even in non-flowering form, due to the dense dark green foliage and the spherical shape of the bush.
Aster blooms in early September and can please the eye until mid-October with flowers of various shades: from blue to white.
New Belgian
Even more diverse shades of paniculate inflorescences, among which there are burgundy and dark purple. It blooms by the end of September and is able to go under the snow "in full dress".
Bushes, depending on the variety type, can be quite small from 20 cm, and quite impressive up to 1 m. The diameter of the flowers also varies from small ones from 2 cm to larger 4 cm.
North American
Also known as the New England aster, this aster is one of the tallest late flowering varieties. Able to "keep color" until the first frost, it reaches a height of one and a half meters and is rightfully considered a real decoration. autumn garden.
Inflorescences are most often found in pink-red and purple hues.
As you can see, shrub aster is extremely diverse and very beautiful. garden plant, which in itself looks attractive, and even in compositions with other flowers or elements of landscape design, it has no equal!
For spectacular decoration garden and landscape design of the site perennial bush plants are suitable for the most the best way. They grow quickly, forming an attractive background for large buds of other summers.
Can be used as a hedge or green sculpture.
Bush perennial aster has one unique decorative property- it can quickly and reliably cover the most unseemly corners in the garden.
The name of the plant "aster" from Latin means "star". They called her so because the shape of her flowers is associated with a star.
The flower is a perennial plant.
Aster shrub perennial belongs to the Asteraceae or Compositae family.
You can find a flower in Europe and Asia, North Africa and North America.
Its stems are straight, branched, reaching a height of up to 25-50 centimeters.
The inflorescences are in the form of baskets up to three centimeters in diameter. The flowers along the edges are reed-shaped and can be of a former, pink, blue or lilac hue, and in the middle - a tubular form of yellow. The color starts up from the beginning of autumn to the very frosts for 35-40 days.
Varieties of bush perennial asters and their photos
The species diversity is represented by annuals and perennials. Mostly bush aster varieties are used as a crop for perennial cultivation at one place. This reduces the time and labor costs for the landscaping process.
Varieties of bush perennial asters and their photos can be studied further on this page.
Among the varieties of bush asters are:
"Alba flor captivity". The plant grows up to 40 centimeters in length, with a diameter of three centimeters. The ligulate form of the flowers has a snow-white hue, and the tubular form is yellow.
"Blue Bird" Bushes up to 25 centimeters in height, 2.5 centimeters in diameter. Reed-shaped flowers of lilac-blue color.
"Blue Bouquet" The flower of this variety reaches 50 centimeters in length. The diameter of the flower is slightly larger than that of the Blue Bird variety. Reed-shaped flowers are lilac-blue.
"Venus" Plant up to 20 centimeters long. The flowers of the reed form are pink-lilac, and the tubular ones are yellow. Color lets out in September lasting up to 25-30 days.
"Dwarf Nancy" The plant is 25 centimeters tall. Reed-shaped flowers are lilac in color.
"Diana" The flower is up to 35 centimeters long, its diameter is 3 centimeters. Reed-shaped flowers have a pink tint.
"Lady Henry Maddock" Plant up to 50 centimeters in height. Reed-shaped flowers are pink in color.
"Lilek Time" Plant up to 30 centimeters long. Reed-shaped flowers have a light purple-bluish tint. Color lets out in September lasting 30-35 days.
"Niobe" The flower reaches 30 centimeters in length. Inflorescences of snow-white color.
"Spatrose" Plant up to 40 centimeters long. Flowers are dark pink.
Rules for caring for a bush perennial aster in the garden
It is advisable to plant asters in the soil in spring period. At the same time, they are advised to divide them, since they will release the color faster, namely in the same year.
If you plant a plant in the fall, then they may not have time to take root before the soil freezes and die.
Plants are recommended to be planted at a distance between each other of 20-40 centimeters so that young shoots that are underground are covered with soil with a layer of 2-3 centimeters. After planting, the flower should be watered immediately, especially in dry weather.
There are certain rules for caring for a bush aster in an open field garden, for example, a flower should be fed from the second year after it is planted. The length of the plant fertilizer is the entire growing season.
Every two to three years, after the cutting process, the plant should be mulched with peat and compost in a ratio of 1: 1. When caring for a bush perennial aster, it is also necessary to remove old and weak plants, as they are more susceptible to infection by various infections.
The flower can be propagated by seeds or vegetatively. The plant is propagated by seeds quite rarely, only if necessary, since germination is quickly lost.
Seeds should be sown immediately after they were collected before the start of winter in open ground, in extreme cases in the spring to a depth of one and a half centimeters.
Vegetative propagation is used more often. The division of the bush is recommended in early spring, when the flowers grow back. At the same time, weak stems are removed. You can, of course, propagate the plant without digging up the bush.
For example, to separate one or a couple of parts from a bush, which can then be divided into even smaller parts. One part of the bush should contain at least 3-5 new shoots.
Many flower growers are attracted to a plant such as a perennial aster: planting and caring for it will not be difficult even for a beginner. These flowers are great for decorating gardens and landscape designs. Due to the fact that the perennial aster grows quickly, it forms a beautiful background for the buds of other flowering plants. It is used as hedge or even a green sculpture. In addition, perennial shrub asters are an ideal choice for those who want to quickly and reliably hide unsightly corners of the garden.
Thanks to huge selection shades, heights and other characteristics of the bushes, these flowers have become very popular among hobbyists who want to create original landscape in your area.
Except perennial species, gardeners grow and annual asters. They are valued for their wide variety of forms. The most popular species that have won the love of flower lovers are peony, chrysanthemum, spherical, needle asters. All of them have a limited growing time and require annual planting. The peony look looks like a tall spreading bush with double reed flowers. The aster spherical variety attracts with its strong inflorescences original form. The chrysanthemum-shaped aster is formed in a pyramidal fashion and is distinguished by flowers resembling a chrysanthemum. For information on how to plant an aster for seedlings, see.
Description of perennial aster bush
Astra bush flower is a perennial belonging to the Asteraceae or Compositae family. This plant has received wide use V European countries and in Asia, it can be found in North Africa and North America.
This specimen has straight, branched stems and can reach, depending on the species, a height of 25-50 centimeters. The plant is characterized by strong shoots, densely leafy with elongated leaves. From the shoots, this perennial forms a bush with white, pink, lilac, purple, yellow, red and other flowers. Chinese aster pleases flower growers with inflorescences of different shades in the form of baskets, which are up to three centimeters in diameter. At the edges, the shape of the flower is characterized as reed. Among the representatives, both terry aster and other types of inflorescences are found. The flowering period of the plant depends on the variety of perennial asters and can be very long. Some autumn species bloom even before frost. Early varieties release inflorescences from May to June, summer - from July to August.
What are the varieties of perennial asters?
The species diversity that the garden aster offers allows each grower to find suitable plant for your area. Used as a crop for long-term cultivation, these bushes significantly reduce the time and labor costs for landscaping.
New Belgian aster
This type of plant, such as the alpine perennial aster, for example, the Lady Blue variety, is distinguished by early flowering. Inflorescences of this variety begin to appear already at the beginning of the first summer days. The plant is distinguished by low shoots, which reach a height of 30 centimeters. The variety blooms very profusely over a 30-day period and pleases gardeners with blue, purple, lilac baskets up to six centimeters in diameter.
Another type of perennial is New Belgian or September aster, which has a lot of varieties. All of them differ in the height of the bush. There are some varieties of undersized asters (border perennials), as well as representatives that reach a height of about 160 centimeters. The New Belgian aster is characterized by abundant and long flowering from the first autumn month. About 150 flower baskets can appear on each of the shoots of this species. Small flowers can be single, semi-double or double. A feature of inflorescences and buds is their ability to withstand temperatures down to -5 degrees Celsius. Among these species, flower growers especially like the blue aster, which serves as a wonderful addition to any garden, terrace or flower bed.
Ground cover species of aster
One of the favorite species of many flower growers is heather aster, which does not require special care conditions. Its long and abundant flowering allows you to use this copy as a decoration for any flower bed. Due to the fact that the view leans towards the ground, landscape designers like to use this color to create various forms and original garden figures. A feature for which the groundcover aster is especially valued is the ability to survive at temperatures around -35 degrees Celsius. Many baskets of heather-like flowers give the impression of a single carpet. Florists know that the perennial undersized aster also tends to grow very quickly in breadth, so experts advise limiting the growth of bushes around the perimeter. To do this, you can use strips of iron, which are recommended to be dug into the ground.
Unlike many species, heather aster feels great even in dark places. However, full shade should be avoided.
Aster New England
These asters are different appearance and the ability to grow to a height of up to two meters. Astra New England looks like a very slender and powerful shrub with large paniculate inflorescences. About 25-30 flower baskets can grow on each stem. This specimen grows very weakly and almost does not give growth. Every year it gets taller and looks more powerful. Unlike other species, the bush begins to delight with its flowering much later. Releasing flowers in the last days of September, this aster is a colorful decoration of the garden before the snow comes.
Aster shrub
This plant has the ability to grow very quickly. After three to four years, the shrubby aster forms a curtain, which is great for seating. It looks like a spherical bush, reaching a height of 50 centimeters. This species is liked to be used for growing along curbs and paths. For example, aster shrub Anneke and Jenny fell in love with flower growers.
Tips for planting, propagating and caring for flowers
The plant can propagate in several ways: with the help of green cuttings, dividing the bush or seeds.
The first of these options involves rooting cuttings in a greenhouse with constant high humidity. For this method, the tops of the shoots are cut off about five to seven centimeters long in early summer. Cuttings obtained from young trunks take root and grow very quickly, forming powerful bushes.
Reproduction by dividing the bush - easy method, allowing you to get a flowering plant very quickly. In one place, the perennial aster Mix and other species can grow up to five to six years. However, with a strong growth of bushes, gardeners prefer to transplant them, dividing them into smaller bushes. This is best done every two to three years. Tall plants should be planted no closer than 70-90 cm apart. Low specimens will feel comfortable at a distance of 30-50 centimeters.
For propagation by division, delenki are cut off from the mother bush. For this procedure, use sharp knife. Each delenka should have three to five strong shoots. It is best to divide and plant an aster in the spring. In this case, the plant will grow much faster and enter the flowering stage. Planted in autumn, specimens are at risk of freezing and dying before they even take root.
It is also possible to plant asters with seeds, but this method does not always give the desired result for beginners. Material for planting is collected before the onset of winter and immediately planted in open ground. Some do it in early spring. The depth of planting aster seeds is up to one and a half to two centimeters. After the earth should be moistened warm water. Then you need to mulch using compost and peat. Fresh seeds will turn into sprouts in a week. A little later, the plant needs to be thinned out, leaving a gap of about fifteen centimeters between individual specimens.
Winter sowing of asters is also possible. It is carried out in December. It is advised to propagate the plant in this way if the height of the snow cover is not more than ten centimeters. After planting the seeds, the ground should be covered with dry compost. Sometimes seedlings from this method of planting are very weak and do not look like good varietal material. Due to the loss of germination, the seed method of propagation of this type of flower is rarely used.
Watering and feeding asters
The plant is quite unpretentious, however, both high aster and other species need watering during the dry period. Stems need additional moisture during bud formation. Also, the aster at this time should be fed with mineral fertilizers. For this purpose, do not use fresh manure. The best choice there will be fertilizer in the form of special dressings, including the whole complex of minerals, as well as phosphorus-potassium mixtures. Some experts advise every few years to mulch the plant after the cutting process, using peat and compost in equal proportions.
Wintering aster bushes
In autumn, after frost has appeared, the shoots are cut off at ground level. Experts advise mulching the soil with compost. The autumn aster plant is quite frost-resistant, so you can not cover it for the winter.
Choosing a place for culture
Many people like growing perennial asters, because these bushes are able to delight with bright colors until late autumn. These perennials are very photophilous. Before planting an aster, it is advised to choose a sunny place with a minimum amount of wind. Some species can be grown in partial shade. But in this case, the plant will bloom later, and the inflorescence baskets will not be so lush. Penumbra can be dangerous due to the high risk of getting sick powdery mildew. Experienced gardeners never choose completely dark places for planting these bushes. In the shade, all types of asters practically do not bloom and very often suffer from pests and diseases.
Choosing the Right Soil
High representatives, as well as dwarf asters, grow well in loose and fertile soil with a neutral response.
Poor land should be fertilized using humus or compost, a few tablespoons of superphosphate. To reduce acidity, it is advised to use dolomite flour or fluff lime in an amount of 200 grams. After that, everything should be dug as deep as possible. Low-lying terrain with stagnant water is completely unsuitable for growing a species such as the Wartburg star aster. In this case, additional drainage is recommended. Fine gravel works well for this. Coarse sand, as well as river sand, can be introduced into the soil where asters are going to be planted. It improves the structure of the earth. Before planting, the site must be rid of weeds, loosen the ground and level it.
The soil on which calendula or marigolds have grown before is very suitable for planting asters. You should not plant this plant in flower beds where tulips, carnations or gladioli were previously grown. Since they often suffer from furaziosis, which causes fungal infections.
Care for bush asters
Perennial shrub asters: common species, planting, proper care, reproduction
Shrub aster (Asteraceae, Symphyotrichum dumosum) is a cold-resistant crop. It blooms profusely, from July until frost, until the temperature drops below -3 ° C. Grown in borders, isolated or in groups. Unpretentious. It gets along well with other types of flowers.
Description of shrub aster, variety selection
The first thing that attention is paid to when choosing a plant is the decorativeness of the bush. But Aster is an autumn plant that blooms with the advent of coolness. In order for the aster to bloom longer and the seeds have time to ripen, you need to choose the right varieties that are suitable for the region in which you live.
Source: Depositphotos
Shrub aster goes under the snow of a profusely flowering
Symphyotrichum dumosum is a group of perennial rhizomatous herbs. Height from 15 cm to 2 m. The stems are branching, so the bush has a spherical shape. The leaves are oval, toothed, dark green. Buds are formed at the tops of the branches. The diameter of a blossoming flower, depending on the variety, varies from 2 to 10 cm. The variety of colors is very large.
In the North-West region, the following varieties are recommended for landscaping:
- deep pink Alise Haslam;
- blue Blue Bouquet;
- blue or bright blue Lady in Blue;
- floral pink Rosa Sieger;
- purple Herbstschnee;
- pink-purple Andenken;
- purple Aster tataricus.
In the Central region, in addition to those listed, they bloom for a long time:
- heather pink Lovely;
- highly decorative small-colored Purple Star;
- New England dark purple Barrs Blue and pink Barrs Pink;
- New Belgian Rosa Perle;
- terry light purple Patricia Ballard;
- lavender blue Frikata.
In mid-latitudes, miniature early Helen Beauty, Rosea and Goliath grow well. Of the giants, Andenken an Alma Poetschke and Purple Dome are more suitable.
Planting shrub asters and caring for them
For plants, open lighted areas are best suited. The soil should be nutritious, not heavy, close in structure to sandy loam. The minimum depth of the fertile layer is 35 cm. Wet soils are excluded. Sour must be lime, sprinkling dolomite flour at the time of laying flower beds. In addition, ash is added 2–3 times a season.
Sow the seeds in the fall, before the onset of frost, but it is advisable to divide the bushes in the spring so that young plants have enough time to take root.
Astra shrub requires regular rejuvenation by cuttings or division. Plant old bushes in the 4th year. At the same time, choose a new place each time.
Abundant flowering is possible only with regular watering and mulching. The first fertilization of the soil is carried out immediately before planting sprouts. For this purpose choose complex top dressing. When setting aster buds, feed with phosphorus-containing preparations. The next fertilization is carried out in the spring.
To give the bush a more rounded shape, periodically cut off the branches.
Perennial asters are appropriate everywhere. They can be used in rose gardens, on alpine slides, in gravel gardens. These flowers are combined with violets, geraniums, spikelets, stonecrop and other crops.
