PERENNIALS > ASTERS
IN THIS GUIDE
ASTERS GUIDES
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Asters , also known as ‘ Michaelmas Daisies ’ , are popular herbaceous flowering perennials that look wonderful in many UK gardens .
Whether you are trying to createa traditional bungalow garden feelor more New prairie - style planting , Asters can be a go - to choice .
Aster amellus
They depend adorable – and can be great for the bees , butterflies and other beneficial worm that visit your garden .
And of track , what is good for the wildlife in your garden is good for you as a gardener too – since the racy biodiversity makes it easier for you to grow your own food for thought and derive other yields from your organic garden .
Overview
PreferredFull Sun ( some Partial Shade )
ExposureExposed or Sheltered
Height0.1 – 0.5 M
Aster tripolium
Spread0.1 – 0.5 M
Bloom TimeAugust – October
PreferredMost Soil Types
Asterxfrikartii‘Monch’
MoistureMoist but well drained
pHAny
The genus Aster once included over 500 different species of perennial flowering plant from Eurasia and North America.1The BRAHMS Project , University of Oxford , Department of Plant Sciences . ( n.d.).Aster coinage . Oxford University Plants . Retrieved March 9 , 2023 , fromhttps://herbaria.plants.ox.ac.uk/bol/plants400/Profiles/AB/Aster
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii
However , research during the 1990s contribute to North American coinage being reclassify into different genus – such as , for example , EurybiaandSymphyotrichum.2Why Do Plant Names Change?(2014 , July ) . RHS the Garden . Retrieved March 9 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.rhs.org.uk/about-the-rhs/publications/the-garden/the-garden-back-issues/2014-issues/july/plant-name-changes.pdf
Nonetheless , these North American species are usually still referred to as Asters .
In this article , we will include and run through these metal money too – since the care and rise tips for these flora are often the same or very similar to the ( rough 180 ) Eurasiatic species in this genus .
The term ‘ Aster ’ come from the ancient Greek for ‘ star ’ – the name refers to the shape of the flower head.3Definition of aster . ( n.d . ) . Inwww.dictionary.com.https://www.dictionary.com/browse/aster
The genus Aster is part of the large Asteraceae industrial plant family , also know as the ‘ daisy ’ or ‘ sunflower ’ family.4Petruzzello , M. ( 2015 , October 9).List of plant in the family Asteraceae . Encyclopedia Britannica . Retrieved March 9 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.britannica.com/topic/list-of-plants-in-the-family-Asteraceae-2040400
This is a Brobdingnagian plant crime syndicate with over 32,000 different specie , many of which are plebeian garden flowers.5Asteraceae . ( n.d . ) . Global Biodiversity Information Facility . Retrieved March 9 , 2023 , fromhttps://www.gbif.org/species/113579929Aster tripolium
There is in reality only one native Aster in the UK – theAster tripolium , or ocean aster.6Aster ( Sea ) / Sea Aster . ( n.d . ) . Wild Flower Finder . recover March 9 , 2023 , fromhttps://wildflowerfinder.org.uk/Flowers/A/Aster(Sea)/Aster(Sea).htm
Another species formerly know asAster linosyrisis now known asGalatella linosyris .
However , many Asters from Europe and North America , and hybrids derived from them , can be grow well and successfully in UK gardens .
Why Grow Asters?
Asters take their common name – Michaelmas Daisies – from the fact that they mostly blossom in late summertime or former fall .
They can be splendid selection where you require to ensure you have flush in blossom in your garden over as much of the class as potential .
They take over where summertime anthesis efflorescence entrust off – and can bridge the gap between the summertime and autumn seasons in your garden .
Asters can raise in all UK hardiness zones and can be useful for attracting wildlife to your garden .
They can be beneficial for pollinator , and are important food plants for the larvae of a number of vernacular butterfly and moths .
Another benefit of growing Asters , of course , is that these perennials will render to blossom in your garden year after year .
And like many other recurrent plants , they will command very little care , so could be a not bad choice for a comparatively down - maintenance garden scheme .
Growing Options
There are a nifty many different Asters that you might regard choosing for your garden .
Some great options for UK gardeners include :
“ Callistephus chinensis , the China aster , is a terrific plant life that is often overlooked as it is an yearly , ” shares Dan Ori , Master Horticulturist .
“ However , it can be seed directly to the stain in saltation each year .
“ There are many form available let in the Duchess serial , which has flowers that are Chrysanthemum - like and come in single , semi - double , and double form .
“ They range from 20 cm to 70 centimetre in height , giving you lots of options for pots and mete and he tall potpourri work exceptionally well as weakened blossom . ”
When choosing Asters for your garden , the size and hues of the blooms are one thing to consider , but you should also remember about the distinctive height of the plant .
Since this will specify whether they will work well towards the back , in the middle , or near the front of a bed or border on in a container – some Asters are much tall than others .
See a full partitioning of Aster varietiesin this billet .
Asterxfrikartii‘Wunder von Stafa’
How To Grow Asters
Asters wait great in herbaceous recurrent borders , especially alongside other repeated flowering plants and hayfield grasses .
They are ripe at plate in a prairie planting scheme – the heyday are gay and colorful , and a number of varieties also make splendid cut flowers .
They can be great for a traditional bungalow garden , but many varieties can also do work well in a more contemporary scheme .
These repeated flowers will thrive in almost any grime type , ideally one that is moist but well - drained to well - drained .
They will usually do well in areas of full Lord’s Day though many variety can also cope with partial or mottled spectre .
Many potpourri are also excellent for turn in containers .
Remember to rate Asters in a locating which suits their show and form – and note their eventual height when make up one’s mind where to lay them .
fend off identify taller Asters in a location that is too exposed , where they may be open to wind wrong .
A moulding of Asters and grandiloquent perennial grasses can also have wider practical program .
For example , it can be used to ‘ borrow ’ landscape painting from beyond the edges of a rural garden – tying in the garden with farm fields beyond .
A border of repeated prime and supergrass might also screen another part of the garden from eyeshot , or partially confuse a purview without totally block it .
Planting
Aster seedlings or cuttings should be planted out , typically , between March and May .
This is also the metre when you should implant out Asters as potted plant that you have purchase for your garden .
Asters should typically be place with a spacing of around 40 cm between plant .
Companion Planting
Asters are various perennial that will lick well alongside many other herbaceous perennials in a seam or garden boundary line .
Asters front fantastic alongside other herbaceous perennials for summertime and autumn including :
And alongside a wide range of decorative Mary Jane such as :
Aster Plant Care
Caring for Asters does not require a lot of work .
In fact , when placed in the right fix , Asters will need very piffling care and be a great alternative for a low - maintenance garden .
Watering
Keep the land well - watered , but do not get Asters sit with wet feet .
Watering problems are the most common reason for one of the master issue that Aster cultivator can encounter – mould .
These flowering plant can be rather prostrate to mildew problems ; over - lachrymation is one of the most coarse causes .
Typically , in normal UK term , watering in addition to lifelike rainfall will not be required ( unless they are develop in container ) .
In drouth conditions , or when growing in container , a thoroughgoing soaking every two weeks should be sufficient to see them through hot and ironical periods .
Mildew Issues
ordered watering , but a well - drain medium or soil , and good air - flow around the plant can help to trim the likelihood that this job will occur .
Avoid overcrowd your plants – and do not irrigate too much .
If you experience a lot of problem with mould in your particular garden , then it could be a salutary idea to search for more mould - resistant cultivars or mixed bag .
Feeding
aster typically do not require particularly gamey levels of nutrient ; fertilizer will not typically be required .
Usually , it will be enough to simply mulch around the plant with a good quality organic mulch , which will roleplay as a dull - dismission fertiliser over time .
When growing in quite a little , however , or to better very inadequate soil , you may like to add blood Pisces and bone or another constitutional fertiliser a duet of times during the unfolding period .
Deadheading & Cutting Back
Deadheading the plants and getting rid of spent flowers can also assist to reduce the relative incidence of any problems of this character .
Deadheading will also keep them looking good for longer and will encourage them to develop more flowers .
To get as many flowers as potential from your Asters , you should pinch out top shoot at midsummer , then deadhead as you go .
I like to turn off back my Asters hard after flower finishes in fall .
Division
Asters should also be separate every four years or so .
This will help the flora to retain their energy , and forestall bunch from becoming too congested .
For the health of the existing plant , I receive it best to divide mature Asters in the saltation , just as young growth begins .
