Perennial asters: names of shrub varieties and planting features. Description of the best varieties of perennial asters Astra ampelous planting and care

13.06.2019

What could be more beautiful than flowers in your garden? They give us so much positive emotions, but so sorry to part with them with the advent of the gray days of autumn. So, this is not necessary, because there are flowers that will delight the eye until frost. Yes, not all plants can surprise with such qualities. Especially in our country with its harsh climate, but perennial asters go against natural cycles and make us happier both in summer and late autumn. And today we will tell you about the best varieties for your garden, which will become its highlight.

Queen of the autumn garden - aster

Just imagine that there are currently more than 600 species of asters. They include a huge variety of varieties that amaze with their beauty even the most fastidious. landscape designer. Asters are unusual in that their inflorescences are all different, you can often confuse bushes with chrysanthemums, peonies, but there is another unique feature - shades, among which there is a variety of blue. It is quite rare among flowers of all kinds.

Asters are unpretentious, beautiful, accessible to everyone, can be grown both with and without seedlings in all regions of our large country. What else is needed? Yes, only a little better to understand the varieties, because it is difficult for a beginner not to get confused in such an assortment. In this we will help you, of course, we cannot describe all 600 species, but we will tell you about those varieties that gardeners most often plant - the best and most beautiful. And as you could understand, today we will talk mainly about perennial asters.

Flower variety

Asters flowers are unique, because there are so many of them - tall, short, perennial, annual. In turn, the latter are divided into three main classes, which were formed according to their decorative effect and structure - reed, tubular, transitional. These three classes are divided into 10 more according to the type of flower, its shape. Each group has its own varieties that can surprise the most fastidious gardeners, take a look at the photo - this is a pompom aster. The charm of these balls is amazing, while they can also have different shades, but these are the same age. And today we are talking about perennial species, and we will consider them further.

Pompom inflorescences. The perfect bouquet

Perennial asters and their different flowering periods

With the onset of spring, every gardener is waiting for his favorite flowers to bloom, but not all plants delight the whole season. Some decorate with their appearance only in April and May, others only in the first half of summer, others will please in the fall. But perennial asters are perfect in every way - their varieties are so diverse that your flower beds will be charming from May to October and even more. All because there are early flowers, there are summer and autumn ones. The first bloom in May and delight until June, the second throughout the second and third decade of summer, the third bloom in autumn. Each group has its own species, they, in turn, varieties.

For information! Asters differ not only in terms of flowering and height, but also in the structure of flowers - pink, peony, chrysanthemum. There are also differences in shape - asters are needle-shaped, spherical and radiant.

early alpine aster

The most commonly used and widespread type. These flowers have a small growth - up to 30 cm, which makes them ideal for creating compositions, planting along paths, decorating rock gardens, flower beds. Do you know why the species is so beloved by gardeners? Because asters are beautiful and very unpretentious - any beginner can create the perfect garden.

Bushes bloom in different shades and they delight us from May to June. And, of course, we will name the most popular varieties of asters of this species. See photos and names below. Inflorescences of this species are most often up to 5-6 cm in diameter, single type. Asters are not afraid of frost, they tolerate even harsh winters in our country, they love higher areas and the sun.

Alpine aster varieties:

"Alba". It blooms with delicate white inflorescences and a yellow center, has a dense green mass. The shape of the leaves is elongated, it can grow up to 30-40 cm. The bushes grow stuffed. If you look at the photo, you can see the similarity of this aster with chamomile;
Variety "Alba"
"Gloria". These flowers are similar to the previous ones in form, but just look at this azure hue of the petals, which are diluted with a rich yellow-orange center. Flowers up to 4 cm in diameter. Perfectly combined in a flower bed with the Alba variety. Bushes can be planted alternately or in stripes;
Heavenly Gloria
"Dunkle Schone". Great for color combinations and natural stones, rock garden decorations. Flowers have a pleasant blue-violet hue, they are stuffed. The variety is very unpretentious, does not freeze, is not afraid of return May frosts, undemanding to soils. Flowers in diameter about 3 cm;
"Rosea". This variety blooms in the first summer month, but its beauty is that it will delight with its flowering for three whole months. Tubular petals have a rich pink color, up to 5 cm in diameter. They go well with blue and white asters;
Variety "Rosea"
"Goliath". This variety has an amazing delicate color - lavender. It is also often used to decorate rockeries, alpine slides, paths in the garden. Loves the sun and partial shade, flowers in diameter - 3-5 cm.

Early Anderson aster

Blooms and delights us in spring and early summer. This species is very small, one might say, ground cover, loves well-ventilated soils, moderately moist soil and sunlight. The bushes are notable for the fact that they have a purple hue of the petals. Very delicate and beautiful inflorescences that resemble a delicate purple chamomile with a yellow-orange middle. The diameter is only 2 cm, and the height of the entire bush is not more than 5 cm.

Astra "Anderson"

Early himalayan aster

These bushes grow compactly - up to 25-30 cm tall. As you can understand, the native places of these flowers are the highest mountains in the world. It is very often found in Asian countries, both near houses and at an altitude of more than 4 thousand meters. The flowers have a delicate purple hue, they are medium-sized - up to 3 cm. In the wild, it does not grow more than 15 cm, they please with flowering in May.

"Himalayan"

Summer Italian asters

As you understand, now we have moved on to the next flowers that will delight with their flowering from July to August. This species is higher than the early raster and can grow up to 60-70 cm. Most often, such tall flowers are planted along fences, they can close unsightly outbuildings. It is also important to plant such bushes next to the supports and where there is no strong winds in bad weather. Can be planted in rows or individually.

Inflorescences on average up to 4-5 cm in diameter, collected in shields. Colors are more often closer to blue-blue shades and lilac, there may be flowers pink tone. The shape of the bush itself is spherical. This species is divided in early April to propagate, favorite soils are alkaline. They bloom best where there is a lot of sun.

It is interesting! This type of asters was bred in Europe. There are drawings depicting Italian asters that date back to 1596.

Italian aster varieties:

"King George" - one of the varieties of Italian aster

Separately, we would like to tell you that tall varieties are good to combine with short ones. You can also plant a number of perennials and annuals, the overall picture will be beautiful, and next year you can change annual asters for new varieties or new flowers, in general. So, the flower bed will be new every year. Magnificent varieties of annual asters are the Milady aster, she is in the photo, Scarlet, Crimson, Krestella, Erfurt Dwarf.

Pink "Milady"

The homeland of her country is Asia, where the flower began to be planted in gardens around 1686. The bushes are round in shape, they are quite high - up to 80 cm, again, tall species are best planted near fences in a quiet place. They are very thermophilic and cannot tolerate excess moisture. Flowers are collected in beautiful baskets, umbrellas, have a delicate lavender color, closer to heaven. Diameter - 2 cm, blooms by the end of summer. It grows very well in soil rich in humus and letting in a lot of air. On such land, bushes bloom profusely and for a long time.

Stonecrop species

Bessarabian summer aster

This species is not independent, but a variety of Italian. The characteristics are quite similar, but the flowers on the bushes have a larger diameter. Inside, the inflorescence is not yellow or orange, but brown. It can be purple, pink and white. The bushes are quite powerful, as well as their root system. Height can reach up to 75 cm.

Bessarabian aster

blue summer aster

Her homeland is also the Himalayas. Quite tall plants - up to 120 cm, they can definitely hide all the shortcomings of the site. The flowers are sky blue, the bushes are powerful, the roots creep to the sides. The soil loves fertile, it should be sunny on the site, it is not afraid of cold weather. It divides by a bush, blooms for the first two summer months, a rather unpretentious look.

Blue inflorescences of perennial aster

Aster autumn perennial New England

Everything autumn views popular, because their charm is that they delight us when other flowers are already fading. They are unpretentious, there are many varieties, it is easy to plant them. Bushes can be of different heights, colors - these are pink asters, and purple, and blue, and white, and purple. All of which are of different shapes.

We start with the New England view. These bushes for those who love tall plants are hard to imagine for a beginner, but asters can be taller than a person - up to 2 meters. Of course, with such bushes, you need to plan in advance what and where will be planted. They should be either separate, or along the walls, or in the background of the flower bed. Flowers are arranged in racemes in large numbers, and the diameter of one inflorescence is up to 4 cm.

These asters will please with their flowering by the first decade of September. You can combine them with other perennial species, you can also with annuals. For example, with asters of pompom species, an excellent variety "Princess Mix" - it is in the photo below. These are annuals that always luxuriously decorate the garden. There are also popular varieties of annual flowers - these are "Ostrich Feather", "Princess Bouquet", "Victoria", "Giant", "Duchess", "American Beauty". All these asters are worthy of your attention.

"Princess mix" - annual

"American Beauty"

Varieties of the New England aster:

Variety "Browmann"

New Belgian autumn varieties

An interesting view, where there can be bushes both low - up to 40 cm, and high - 150 cm tall. Flowers are in panicles. These asters are very beautiful, because when they bloom, the greenery and stems are not even visible. The latter, by the way, become woody over time. The beauty of these asters is that they bloom in bad weather, in the evening, in fog and on rainy days. They can be burgundy, blue, lilac and white. Due to the abundant flowering, this species can be planted even in the center of the flower bed.

Varieties of the New Belgian aster:

"Amethyst". This variety is often compared with daisies, they have dark shade lilac. The branches are located next to each other, abundantly covered with flowers, but the bushes can not be tied up. Height - up to 130 cm. Large flowers - up to 4 cm;
"Amethyst"
Marie Ballard. Like the previous variety, it is very popular. It can also do without support, it is not afraid of frost. It has a magnificent lavender color of the petals, while the inflorescences are huge - up to 8 cm in diameter. They begin to bloom at the end of August, and flowering continues for 60 days. Named after the person who created it. Height - up to a meter;
"Marie Ballard"
"White Lady". The beauty of this perennial aster is that it is the most frost-resistant. It has a beautiful white color with a yellow center. Unpretentious and does not require special care. Flowers - 3-5 cm;
"White Lady"
"Sunset". Just look at it, these bushes are really like the pink shades of the sunset strip over the horizon. Their diameter is up to 4 cm; foliage is not visible during flowering. Hue - pink, the variety begins to bloom from September to November.

Astra shrub perennial

This aster completes today's selection of flowers for your garden. Usually the bushes are low - up to half a meter high. They bloom from the first days of autumn until the very cold. Most often, flowers have a light, delicate color - pink, heavenly, white, purple, but can also be burgundy and yellow. Bushes can be formed. To make asters bloom better, they are rejuvenated by dividing the bush every 3-4 years.

Varieties of shrub asters:

This is the flower variety we have described to you today. You can plant both perennials and annuals. Only for the first, choose the right places right away.

What flowers to plant is a question that is asked by almost all gardeners and site owners. The desire to get a chic and constantly blooming flower bed makes professionals and amateurs look for the most exotic flowers. But one flower will certainly be found in any garden or in any flower bed. This is a perennial autumn aster. This is a flower that blooms one of the very last and pleases with its bright colors during the prolonged autumn rains. In this article, we will consider the features of a flower familiar to us, talk about the main types of perennial asters and popular varieties, and also learn all the nuances of agricultural technology for growing autumn beauty.

Varieties of perennial asters

This type of plant includes a wide variety of subspecies and series of varieties.

Alpine aster. Blooms earlier than other varieties. Already at the end of May, you can see blossoming buds on it. Bushes of low growth - 20-25 cm. The leaves form beautiful bushes in the shape of a hemisphere. The color of the flowers of this variety of asters is replete with its diversity. There are both white and pink, dark purple with a bluish tinge, flowers with a bright orange eye. The most common varieties:

Gloria - blue flowers with a bright orange middle;
Vargrav - pink flowers with a yellow eye;
Albus - snow-white flowers;
Abenshine - Terry pale pink flowers with a yellow center.

Mongolian aster. It blooms in mid-July and belongs to the summer-flowering type of culture. It has its name due to its territorial origin: this series of varieties comes from Mongolia. Bushes reach 1 m in height, flowering is quite plentiful with large loose rosettes. It loves sunlight and tolerates frost well.

American (New England) aster. It blooms late - in the middle of autumn. In the southern regions it may bloom in November. Huge bushes reach a height of 2 m. It has large bright flowers of unusual shades for asters. Most popular:

September Ruby - red flowers with a light eye;
Violetta - flowers of a rich purple color;
Purple Cloud - high bushes with huge lilac flowers;
Kylie - frost-resistant aster (tolerates night temperature drops to -5 ° C), the bush is dotted with small pink flowers.

Chamomile (Italian aster). The flowering period begins in August, the flowers are small lavender hue, collected in inflorescences in the form of umbrellas of several pieces.

Ultramarine- purple flowers with blue tips and a yellow core;
Violet Queen - the most common variety in this series, has beautiful purple blooms.

Rules for planting perennial asters in open ground

All perennial asters need an abundance of sunlight. It is necessary to take this fact into account when planning to plant a flower in open ground. Never plant this plant in a flooded area. It is also worth knowing that asters love phosphate fertilizers. Care in the form of soil enrichment is best started even before the seedling is planted in the ground. Be sure to carry out activities such as digging the earth (to a depth of 30 cm), removing weeds and thorough watering before planting. It is advisable to add lime or dolomite flour to the soil when digging.

Planting seeds of perennial asters in open ground

In the southern regions, the seeds of perennial asters are sown directly into open ground in late autumn or spring, sprinkling them with a centimeter layer of humus. Slightly strengthened seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place. It is important that the seeds are as fresh as possible. Colorful flowers, as in the provided photos, you can see only a year later. In regions with a more severe climate, a seedling method of growing perennial asters is practiced. Good for planting seeds purchased soil. A container with sown seeds is covered with polyethylene and placed in a sunny place. When the leaves appear, the seedlings are carefully dived into separate pots.

Reproduction of an aster by dividing a bush

Dividing an aster bush (vegetative method) is a simple and quick method of propagating and planting new areas with flowers. It is necessary to separate part of the bush along with the rhizome in the spring after the start of rapid growth, remove weak stems and transplant to a new place. Astra can grow in one place up to 7 years, but to renew the bush, maintain lush flowering, it is recommended to replant the culture every three years. Astra perennial quite well tolerates the division of the bush.

Aster care in the open field

Astra can be called an unpretentious plant in care. But in order for it to bloom in all its glory, you need to adhere to some rules of agricultural technology. First of all, it is necessary to ensure proper watering. Perennial refers to moisture-loving flowers. Moisten the soil with plenty of water. But part with this procedure is not worth it. Let the soil dry out before the next watering. During heavy rains, additional soil moisture is not carried out.

It is necessary to monitor the condition of the soil. The earth needs to be loosened regularly, weeding the beds from weeds. In advance, before flowering, high hilling of plants is carried out - this stimulates the strengthening of the root system of perennials. To prolong the flowering period, we must not forget to remove drying inflorescences from the bushes in a timely manner. They are left only on those specimens that are intended for collecting seeds. Astra is a frost-resistant plant. You can leave the perennial to winter in open field. preparatory activities is trimming the above-ground part and covering the flower bed with a layer of mulch.

Fertilizer and top dressing of perennial asters

Suitable for growing asters in open ground fertile lands with a high content of humus. If the earth is personal plot does not meet these requirements, fertilization will help correct the situation.

Diseases and pests of perennial asters

perennial aster ideal for creating landscape design, resistant to many diseases and pests, unpretentious in cultivation. However, in a damp summer, with improper watering or planting asters in damp, waterlogged soil, the likelihood of perennial infection with powdery mildew increases sharply. The disease is transmitted from plant to plant by air. The affected area depends on the density of growth of asters, the presence of moisture on the leaves. In order to prevent this disease, it is recommended to treat the flowers with Topaz twice before flowering. Topaz should be diluted at the rate of 2 ml of the drug per 10 liters. water.

In autumn, it is recommended to treat Alpine aster with copper sulphate (dilute 50 g of the drug in a standard 10-liter bucket of water), after which the plants need to be cut. Infected shoots should be cut and burned, as the powdery mildew fungus can be on the leaves and stems of the plant all winter, and in the spring throw out new spores and infect nearby flowers.

Astra is a flower highly valued by gardeners all over the world. By the end of summer, when most of the plants have already faded, he decorates the flower beds with the most different colors. Growing an aster is not difficult, given all the rules of planting and subsequent care.

Description

It's grassy ornamental plant family of Compositae. There are perennial and annual asters, they all have tens of thousands of different varieties, differing in height, shape, color of inflorescences.

The annual aster is called Callistefus. Its stem is erect, slightly branched, with jagged leaves of a rich green color located alternately on it. The fibrous root system is quite powerful. The basket-shaped inflorescence consists of tubular flowers and is surrounded by petals that can have a wide variety of colors - from white to dark purple. Only orange is missing from the palette. Thanks to the unusual shape of the inflorescences, the aster got its name, translated from Greek - “star”.

perennial asters

These flowers adorn the garden in late autumn, when flowering plants almost none left. They are also called Oktyabrinks, winter asters due to the fact that even when caught by the first frosts, they do not lose their beauty and, as soon as the sun warms up, they come to life again, opening thawed buds. Perennial asters can be of very different heights - from 30 centimeters to 2 meters. Therefore, you can decorate them with a border, rockery, or place them in the very center of the flower garden. They are perfect for creating compositions and as a garden screen.

These are very unpretentious plants adapt to any soil. They prefer sunny places, but they also feel good in shaded areas. Fertilizers are usually applied in the spring and during the budding period. In autumn, wood ash can be used as a top dressing.

A perennial aster should be transplanted every 5-6 years. Reproduction can be done by dividing the bush or planting shoots. Separate part of the plant with a shovel. This must be done carefully so as not to damage the underground shoots. This part of the bush is planted in a sunlit area, because the aster is a flower that blooms much worse in the shade. In addition, the plant is susceptible to disease.

Varieties of asters, which include perennials, are quite diverse. The most common in our area is considered to be a shrub aster up to 50 cm high. It is covered with small (about 3 cm in diameter) flowers, usually purple, less often blue or Pink colour. Varieties such as Astra alpine, Italian, Tongol are also popular. All of them basically differ in the shape and color of the inflorescences. High asters include New England and New Belgian, their height can reach 1.5-2 meters.

Growing conditions

Astra is a flower that does not require the creation of any special conditions. However, it will show its decorative properties much better if certain rules are followed when growing. A place for planting should be selected well-lit by the sun so that the flowers have time to bloom before the cold weather. The soils of these plants prefer loamy, fertile, thoroughly dug up. Before planting, it is necessary to ensure drainage and water permeability, since plants do not tolerate dampness and stagnant moisture very well. Growing aster flowers in damp soils provokes powdery mildew disease. Soils poor in composition are enriched with organic matter, adding for each square meter 10 kg of humus.

reproduction

Perennial aster can be propagated by cuttings. The shoots that appear on the plant in spring and during the summer take root very quickly (after 25-30 days), forming new strong bushes. The stalk is taken 5-7 cm long and planted in the soil prepared in advance from soddy soil, peat and sand. Top can be covered with a film to speed up the rooting process.

Asters can be propagated by dividing the bush. It is important that at the same time there must be 3-4 shoots on the detachable part and some roots. Reproduction by seeds is also possible, but this is very unproductive, because the germination of seeds is lost quickly enough. Therefore, this method is used very rarely.

This method propagates only annual asters. Growing from seeds can be carried out by seedling or seedless method. In the latter case, the seeds are sown directly into the ground and covered with a film until the first shoots appear. When the third true leaf appears on the plants, they are thinned out at a distance of 10-15 cm. Growing aster flowers using this method is quite problematic. Not all varieties are distinguished by good germination, and open space under adverse weather conditions reduces the chances of seeds to germinate. Therefore, experienced gardeners prefer the seedling method.

Growing seedlings

At the end of March, seeds are sown in a greenhouse or special boxes. They are filled with a soil mixture prepared in advance from soddy land, peat and sand (in a ratio of 2: 1: 0.5). For every 5 liters of the mixture, you can add half a glass of wood ash. A small groove is made in the soil, which, after sowing, is sprinkled with washed sand with a layer of 0.8 cm. The temperature for germination should be approximately 18-20⁰С. It is important to water on time, avoiding waterlogging of the soil.

Astra is a flower whose seeds quickly lose their germination capacity. This requires a more serious approach to their selection. Only fresh seeds should be selected for planting. It is recommended to pre-treat them with a fungicide solution in order to prevent the possibility of diseases caused by fungal infections in plants.

picking

Under favorable conditions, seedlings of aster flowers in 3-5 days already give the first shoots. The film must be removed and the container with seedlings placed in a well-lit place. When 2-3 leaves appear on the aster sprouts, they can dive. To do this, prepare a soil mixture that has the same composition, adding a tablespoon of mineral fertilizer containing potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus to it. Having filled special pots with this soil, a small depression is made in it, into which the seedling is carefully placed so as not to damage the roots.

Then the soil around the plant is lightly tamped and watered with settled water. Watering should be done very carefully, starting from the edges of the container and trying not to get water on the leaves.

Bedding

When 5-7 large leaves are formed on the seedlings, they are transplanted into open ground. This usually happens in mid-May. Before planting, it is necessary to prepare the soil in advance. If its acidity is increased, then it is recommended to add 150-200 g of dolomite flour or wood ash and 50 g of mineral fertilizer for each square meter when digging. Sand and peat are added to clay soils. Asters are planted approximately at a distance of 20-30 cm from each other. Growing seedlings from seedlings under insufficiently favorable conditions can lead to the formation of overly elongated plants. Such seedlings need to be planted about 3 cm deep when planting. Slightly compacting the soil near the plants, watering is carried out and a small layer of peat is poured on top to avoid the formation of a crust.

Asters Care

After the planting of flowers has ended, the aster needs further care. It is not as burdensome as when growing other plants. All that is required for full growth and flowering is weeding, timely watering and top dressing. In dry summers, it is necessary to water the flowers more abundantly, otherwise the leaves may turn yellow, and the number of inflorescences will decrease. Watering is especially important during the budding period.

At the same time, asters need to be fertilized with mineral fertilizers. They contribute to more lush flowering and increase the resistance of the plant to diseases. Perennial aster - a flower that is grown for a long time in one place, requires the introduction of organic matter into the soil.

Diseases and pests

The most common aster disease is fusarium, when rot affects not only the root, but also the stem. Plants are also susceptible to powdery mildew, which appears as a result of too close plantings or lack of nutrients. There are also diseases such as rust, black leg, verticillium.

Insect pests are not indifferent to asters. Mainly spider mite, slugs, kidney aphids and others. Spraying plants helps get rid of them. by special means, as well as processing the site with lime and thorough loosening of the soil.

Aster varieties

It is impossible to list all varieties of these beautiful flowers. It can be noted only those that are most popular with domestic gardeners.

Among the tall varieties used mainly for making bouquets, Assol stands out with raspberry-red large inflorescences up to 12 cm in diameter. Blue frost, so named for the color of its buds, can reach a height of 70 cm. Nata, Khavskaya silver and Khavskaya blue, Marshmallow, Suliko - each of these varieties has its own unique beauty.

Low-growing varieties (Baby curb, Leto, Odarka, Vologda lace, Polesie Star and many others) are used mainly for decorative design borders, flower beds and lawns.

Having provided comfortable conditions for this plant, you can grow it in the apartment. Home asters need enough light and moisture.

Among garden flowers, perhaps, you will no longer find such a variety of shapes and colors as those of asters. There are needle-shaped inflorescences, chrysanthemum-shaped, coronal. The color of asters is simply amazing - red, burgundy, pink, white, yellow flowers able to create a real carpet in the garden. And, given the unpretentiousness of these plants, even the most inexperienced novice grower can grow such magnificence on his site.

Ecology of agriculture: Perennial asters are a set various kinds: alpine, new Belgian, shrubby, etc. Most often we have to grow them from seeds purchased

Pokrovki, september or oktyabrinka are flowers that successfully decorate the autumn garden, becoming a bright colored ball at a time when everything around is already glowing with autumn colors. At the same time, not everyone knows that these perennial plants are close relatives of annual asters familiar to all. In nature, there are about 500 species of perennial asters, but few are grown in horticultural crops, so we will consider only the most common ones.

Perennial asters, depending on the flowering period, are divided into early-flowering (spring), medium-flowering (summer) and autumn-flowering (autumn).

1. Asters are perennial with a spring flowering period.

Alpine aster, growing from seeds of which among domestic gardeners is practiced more often than other varieties. A low-growing plant 15-30 cm high, with single inflorescences not exceeding 5 cm in diameter. Flowering begins in May a year after sowing and lasts about a month. In different varieties, inflorescences can have white, blue, purple, pink and red colors of reed flowers and an orange or brownish shade of tubular flowers located in the middle.

Astra Anders is a low-growing plant with purple inflorescences.

2. Asters with an average flowering period, blooming from July to the end of August.

Italian aster with large corymbose lilac inflorescences (up to 5 cm) and spherical bushes reaching 30-70 cm in height.

Astra Frikara with dark purple inflorescences and bushes over 70 cm in height.

Astra stonecrop with small 2.5-3 cm in diameter, lilac flowers with a bluish tint and a bush height of up to 1 m.

3. Asters blooming in autumn.

Heather aster. Herbaceous plant with a bush height of 80-105 cm, straight stems and linear leaves. The inflorescences are small (about 1 cm in diameter), but numerous, the flowers are white. Drought and frost resistant. The flowering period is from September to October.

Aster shrub. It has dense densely leafy bushes 25-60 cm high. Early varieties of this species bloom in early autumn, dotted with white and pale blue inflorescences. In addition, due to the abundant foliage, the perennial aster is often grown as an ornamental leafy plant along with boxwood.

Astra New England, also called North American. The height of the bush reaches an average of 160 cm. The bushes themselves are columnar and do not require additional supports. Inflorescences are small, 2.5-4 cm in diameter, numerous. Depending on the variety, they can have a white, pink, purple, red, blue color. They bloom in September-October, can retain a considerable number of inflorescences until frost.

Astra new Belgian or virgin. Along with New England, it is considered one of the most common varieties. Within this species, there are perennial undersized asters (up to 40 cm), the cultivation of which is especially popular when creating compositions, medium-sized (up to 75 cm) and tall varieties (up to 150 cm). Paniculate inflorescences with an abundance of flowers up to 2 cm in diameter tightly cover the bush. The colors of reed flowers are dominated by purple, blue, red, white, various shades of pink.

Reproduction of perennial asters

Unlike its annual relative, the perennial aster reproduces effectively in several ways: by seeds, dividing the bush, cuttings and vertical layering.

1. Perennial asters: growing from seeds.

It is worth noting that this way most often used when grown from seeds of alpine aster, while for other species it is used extremely rarely, since the seedlings turn out to be rather weak and do not always inherit maternal qualities.

Sowing is carried out in the fall immediately after the collection of seeds. If the flower of your choice is aster alpine, which is more common to grow from seeds, then sow it better in spring when the soil warms up. With the onset of heat, shoots appear, which are left at the planting site until autumn, when they are transplanted to a permanent place. Caring for young plants, from germination to transplantation, is simple and consists of timely watering, periodic top dressing with complex mineral fertilizers, loosening the soil and weeding. For the most part, it is similar to growing one-year-old asters from seeds in the open field before flowering.

2. Perennial asters: reproduction by dividing the bush.

Perennial asters can be propagated by dividing the bush when the plant reaches 4-5 years of age. Simultaneously with the division of the bush, the plant is transplanted to a new site, since the period of keeping asters of this type in one place should not exceed 5-6 years.

Reproduction of asters in this way is carried out both in spring and autumn. It is recommended that bushes of early varieties that bloom in spring should be divided in autumn, and for late varieties optimal time for the division of the bush will be spring. To do this, adult bushes dig and release the roots from the soil. And in the fall, this is done approximately four weeks before the onset of frost, and in the spring until the buds are completely swollen. When dividing a bush into parts, secateurs separate segments that have stems and roots. Be sure to initially make sure that the separated part will have a young, developed root system and 3-5 healthy shoots. It is better to remove old rhizomes altogether, and young ones can be slightly trimmed.

3. Perennial asters: propagation by layering.

Reproduction by vertical layering is possible for 4-year-old bushes of perennial asters. For this in early spring shoots are cut, leaving stumps of 1.5-2 cm. At the same time, to get more planting material it is necessary to provide the plant with proper care, namely timely watering and top dressing. When the shoots grow up to 10-15 cm from the base, they are spudded. The center of the bush must be tightly covered with earth in order to avoid the convergence of the stems. After 20-25 days, a secondary hilling is carried out. It is advisable to do it after rain or heavy watering.

The separation of layering is carried out in autumn or early spring. next year. When transplanting, the plants are pruned, leaving no more than 2-3 buds on them. Flowering of asters grown from layering should be expected no earlier than in a year or two.

4. Perennial asters: propagation by cuttings.

The greatest number of young plants is obtained during reproduction perennial species asters cuttings. starting material in this case, there will be apical shoots 10-15 cm long, which are planted in a shaded place under a film cover. Rooting cuttings occurs within a month.

When harvesting cuttings, the lower cut is made obliquely, and the upper one should be straight, located half a centimeter above the kidney. To reduce evaporation, the upper leaves are shortened, and the lower ones are completely removed. Before planting, cuttings are best kept in water. Also, for better survival, they can be treated with a growth stimulator in accordance with the instructions. The lower part of the cutting is placed in the solution of the drug for 12-15 hours to a depth of no more than 2-3 cm. It is important to avoid getting the drug on the leaves.

Boxes, greenhouses or specially prepared ridges with a film cover stretched over a frame are suitable for rooting cuttings.

The soil mixture for planting should consist of soddy soil, sand and peat in a ratio of 1:2:2. The soil layer with the specified composition should be about 8-10 cm. Perlite, coarse-grained sand or mixtures of equal parts of vermiculite and sand, sand and peat are poured on top in the same amount. For the purpose of disinfection, it is desirable to treat the resulting substrate with a pink solution of potassium permanganate. Planted cuttings to a depth of not more than 10 cm at an angle. The optimal landing pattern is 5 × 5 cm.

After planting, it is important to water and shade the cuttings abundantly.

For effective rooting of cuttings, it is necessary to create an optimal microclimate with diffused sunlight, an air temperature of 22-25 degrees and a humidity of about 100%. Avoid sudden changes in temperature. It is desirable that the soil temperature be higher than the air temperature by 1-3 degrees.

High humidity is maintained during the first two weeks. At the same time, in the heat, 5 sprays of cuttings with water are allowed throughout the day, and on cloudy days, 2-3 sprays will be enough. Leaves at this time should be constantly moistened.

The full rooting time is 3-4 weeks, and the first signs of the appearance of calus appear already 1-2 weeks after planting.

For rearing, the resulting plants can be transplanted to a semi-shady area. Also, at the place of rooting, they can be left until next spring, when they will already be fully developed plants with strong roots. The only thing is that for the winter it would be better to cover them with spruce branches, sawdust, straw, fallen leaves or peat. In May, they can be safely transplanted to a permanent place.

Perennial asters, growing from seeds that are less common than other propagation methods, are a real highlight. autumn garden and look great cut. They are resistant to heat and cold. And with elementary care (No. 9), they will give an abundance of bright fluffy inflorescences-stars. Perennial asters are probably one of the most favorite autumn flowers for many gardeners. Moreover, numerous graceful inflorescences and often late dates flowering is combined with the unpretentiousness of these plants to growing conditions. But at the same time, the decorativeness of the bush and abundant flowering can only be obtained by initially choosing a suitable place for the aster and providing her with elementary care. So, perennial asters: planting and care.

Where to plant a perennial aster?

It is worth noting that perennial species of asters grow best in sunny areas or in partial shade. While an aster planted in a shady corner of the garden may gradually lose its attractive appearance, bloom weakly or not at all. In addition, such an arrangement, along with the likelihood of stagnant water in the soil, usually contributes to the development different kind diseases.

When choosing a place, it is also necessary to pay attention to the mechanical composition of the soil. Despite the undemandingness of plants to this factor, neutral light and medium-heavy nutrient loamy soils with good moisture and air permeability are more suitable for perennial asters.

Tall varieties, for example, New Belgian aster, when planted, they try to place them in areas protected from drafts and winds so that they do not ruin the bush.

It is recommended to prepare for planting perennial asters in advance by digging and fertilizing the soil with organic (humus, compost, peat) and mineral fertilizers (superphosphates, potash fertilizers), since they, like annual asters, grow much better and bloom precisely in properly seasoned areas. If the level of acidity in the soil is increased, then you can additionally add dolomite flour or lime (about 200 g per 1 sq. M.). If the soil is heavy and with poor drainage, then coarse sand is brought into it for digging.

Planting technology for perennial asters

When planting asters, it is important to consider the height and features of the bush. So, undersized asters are planted in the ground according to the scheme 20 × 30 cm, medium-sized - 30 × 50 cm, and tall asters 50 × 80 or 60 × 100 cm. For example, shrub aster, planting and caring for which is not much different from other perennial species , can have a bush height of 25 to 60 cm, depending on the characteristics of a particular variety, and the bushes themselves are strongly branched and abundantly covered with foliage, therefore it is better to plant it less often than the same alpine aster with single inflorescences and less voluminous bushes.

Seedlings of perennial asters, obtained as a result of root division, or seedlings and cuttings grown in a separate area, are planted in a permanent place in well-dug loosened and already fertilized soil. Depending on the moisture content of the soil, both double watering (in pits and over compacted soil in dry weather) and single watering over slightly compacted soil when planting in sufficiently moist soil is possible. It is important to ensure that the roots are not damaged, and the soil is firmly laid down around them and there are no air pockets left.

When planting asters, it should be remembered that in one place they will grow for 4-6 years, after which the bushes will need to be divided and transplanted to another site.

Perennial asters: care

For the most part, perennial asters common in our gardens do not require special care. The main thing is not to forget about timely watering (especially during a drought, when it is watered abundantly, but not often, and during the period of active growth of the vegetative mass), periodic loosening of the soil to a shallow depth (up to 7 cm) and removal of weeds.

Mulching will make maintenance easier. A layer of mulch (such as weathered peat) is placed around the bush immediately after planting. Thus, a crust does not form on the soil around the plant, weeds grow less and moisture does not disappear so quickly, which is important in the heat.

If the soil is nutritious or well seasoned before planting, then it is not necessary to additionally feed the asters. At the same time, they will respond positively to top dressing with water-soluble complex or phosphorus-containing fertilizers during the budding period, as well as to liming at the growth stage.

Depending on the characteristics of a particular species, there may be some nuances in the care of these plants. So, shrub aster, planting and caring for which is generally identical to the agricultural technology of other species, may require more attention to the formation of a bush by trimming the tops, which will not only stimulate the growth of lateral shoots, but also get neat living fences that will be strewn with flowers by autumn . Pinching the tops of other profusely flowering varieties helps to increase the number of inflorescences.

Tall species such as New England aster, especially if they grow in partial shade or the bushes are overly thickened, sometimes require garters to additional supports. To do this, use specially driven pegs or initially plant plants along the hedge.

During flowering, in order to prolong it and preserve the decorativeness of the bush, you should definitely remove faded inflorescences.

Disease and pest control

By themselves, perennial asters are very resistant to various pests and diseases. But under adverse weather conditions or insufficient care, they can be affected by gray rot or powdery mildew. The best prevention of the disease may be proper agricultural practices, in particular, sufficient distance between plants, and spraying asters with solutions containing copper is sometimes recommended ( blue vitriol, copper oxychloride approximately 10 g per 10 l) or special preparations (Gumi, Fitosporin, Topaz) in accordance with the instructions. Sometimes, as an alternative to chemicals, a soapy solution is used, consisting of 10 liters of water, 40-50 g of soap and 30-50 g of soda ash. Plants are treated with them 3-4 times per season with an interval of two weeks.

Sometimes gardeners are faced with the problem that the middle of the aster bush begins to dry out, and the young lateral stems seem weak and the flowers become smaller. This is a sure indicator that the plant needs rejuvenation, but simply put, the bush must be divided and the resulting plants transplanted to a new place.

Preparing for winter

Most types of perennial asters, especially heather aster, are frost-resistant and do not require additional insulation for the winter. When flowering is over, it is recommended to cut off the asters at the root, and cover the soil above the bush with compost, dry leaves or a layer of garden soil, which can serve as mulch in spring. Also, young immature plants may need winter shelter from spruce branches, leaves, etc.

Perennial asters, planting and caring for which even a novice gardener can do, are often planted as borders or hedges. They look great in gravel gardens and alpine slides. They are valued for their late flowering, which looks impressive both next to other flowering perennials and evergreen coniferous bushes. Planted in single curtains or single-varietal groups, during flowering, asters become like huge bouquets dotted with many elegant inflorescences.published