Fantastic Design Plant: Aster
The lack of flowers blooming in the garden at the autumn may be a real bummer, but since I write this in August, you have got the time to plant a few fall bloomers. Asters arrive in a selection of stunning colours, particularly pinks and purples, and there are more than 600 known species to choose from. Plant these on your present perennial gardens, create a border garden or add them into a wildflower meadow blend to keep your garden blossoming and colorful well into autumn.
The New York Botanical Garden
Botanical name: Aster spp
Shared name: Aster, michaelmas daisy, starwort, frost flowers
USDA zones: 3 to 8 (find your zone)
Water requirement: Though somewhat drought tolerant, asters do best in well-drained soil.
Light requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Mature size: Ranges from 4 inches high (dwarf varieties) to 4 feet high
Benefits and tolerances: Asters may be susceptible to a number of issues; choose a disease-resistant selection.
Seasonal interest: Blooms at the autumn
When to plant: Early autumn or after the last frost of winter
The New York Botanical Garden
Distinguishing traits: The aster was named after the Greek word for “celebrity,” because of the blossom’s star-like form. It’s a bright yellow centre that’s composed of tiny flowerets. The flowers range from about 1/2 inch.
Since there are so many distinct species, the size of the plant varies from dwarf to tall. The flowers vary in proportion also and come in colors that include white, white, purple, pink and crimson.
Many aster plants have soft, mounded contours. They attract butterflies.
The New York Botanical Garden
The best way to use aster in the garden: Aster is a versatile plant that works well in all types of gardens, including boundaries, perennial gardens, butterfly gardens and rock gardens. Additionally, it adds beauty to meadows in the autumn. Asters arrive in a selection of colors that mums do not, like blues and purples.
Utilize the plant as part of your three-season planting plan. If you’ve got a perennial garden you’d love to have blossoms in for as long as possible, plant asters through it. For a short lived but spectacular show, plant large borders or swaths with many different asters. This will make September one of your yard’s most memorable months.
The New York Botanical Garden
Planting notes: the moment you see aster plants at the nursery, snatch them up and plant them in late summer or early autumn. This will provide them a good chance to get established before the first frost, which raises their odds of returning the next year. Educate your soil with organic material to make sure it’s rich and loamy. Because sizes may vary, follow the instruction on the label or seed packet regarding spacing. Be extra sure to keep the plants watered during blooming season. Deadhead to keep your plant blooming as long as possible. After the plant dies back as winter approaches, cut it back into the floor.
Jeffrey Gordon Smith Landscape Architecture
That’s intriguing: In medieval Europe, people burnt asters to ward off serpents (it was considered to make them take flight). The mythology continues now, as some think that burning aster leaves will keep snakes away.
See more guides to good design crops