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Asters ( ASS - ter ) are recently - blooming herbaceous perennial members of the Asteraceae ( ass - ter - AY - see - ee ) plants native to Europe , Asia , and North America .
The plants ’ name originates from ancient Greek . It means “ star ” for the whiz - shaped blooms of this pretty , versatile garden favorite .
Depending upon the cultivar in question , you may also get word this plant called Frost Flower , New England Aster , New York Aster , or Alpine Aster .
The industrial plant ’s botanical name is Symphyotrichum spp .
Size And Growth
Asters are generally slowly - go and fast - produce . Their ultimate size depends very much upon the type of plant .
Alpine Asters tend to be modest farm with a mound maturation habit . Other miscellanea tramp in pinnacle and spread from 3′ feet to 5′ feet .
Flowering And Fragrance
The wiz - shaped blush come in many variations in red , blue , purple , pink , and snowy . Some have sparse , spiky flower petal ; others have fluffy double and triplex petal formations .
Most Asters flower late in the summertime and into the fall months . Alpine Asters bloom in the springtime .
Light And Temperature
Generally speaking , Asters do well in part - to - full sun locations . They are winter intrepid in USDA hardiness geographical zone 3 - 8 .
Asters do best in climates that provide :
Watering And Feeding
Provide a thoroughgoing watering when you plant your Asters . Keep the grime moist until the plant are lay down with a recommended 1″ inch of water .
avert overhead watering or vigorous lachrymation that allows pee to splash up from the dirt onto the plant life . boring tearing with a soaker hosiery is good .
Be careful not to overwater as this can do leaf drops and reduced bloom .
put on a balanced works food expression once or double monthly throughout the spring and former - to - June 21 . freeze inseminate in August because the economic consumption of fertilizer may shorten bloom time .
Soil And Transplanting
Asters like well - draining , loamy territory mixed with good constitutional compost . It ’s honest to blend amendment into the terra firma before planting .
constitute new Asters in the springtime after all risk of frost has passed . Give them plenty of room for aviation circulation and growth . A length of 1′ – 3′ feet between plant is best .
After planting , border your new plant with a 2″ in bed of organic mulch . Take care not to allow the mulch to relate the plants ’ stem .
Mulch hold wet in the soil and kick downstairs down gradually to facilitate supply the works with valuable nutrient .
Grooming And Maintenance
Asters are very easy - care plants . reckon upon the variety you take , you may demand to prune or hazard them to foreclose toppling and kick upstairs shaggy-coated increment .
Regular deadheading advertize better blossom in all mixed bag .
Pinching back branch tips promotes thick , full foliage .
After blooming is utter and leaf has died , you may wish to cut your Asters back to the ground for winter . Alternately , you’re able to lead them in position for wintertime interest .
How To Propagate Asters?
It is possible to turn Asters from seed , but sprouting is undependable . For this reason , most mass buy young flora early in the springtime .
Mature plant allowed to go to seed may ego propagate , but the salad days of the offspring may not resemble those of the parent plant life .
Asters can also be grown from theme cuttings or through root part . It ’s a undecomposed idea to part mature plant every couple of twelvemonth to preclude overcrowding .
Asters Pest Or Disease Problems
Aster Yellows is a viral infection spread by pests , such as leafhoppers . It causes erratic growth , along with misshapen blooms with green petals .
To prevent it , be trusted to ascertain Mary Jane development around your Asters , and take footstep to verify pests .
Asters planted in less than ideal configurations , overwatered , or overcrowded , may be more vulnerable to pest such as :
To prevent and hold in plague , take steps to encourage natural predator , such as ladybugs and beneficial wasps . Keep plant detritus and sess under mastery , and utilize insecticidal goop as necessitate .
Overcrowded , overwatered plants are also subject to several fungous infection , admit :
To prevent fungal contagion , leave sizeable spacing between plants , avoid overwatering , and do n’t overhead water . Prune aside dead and damaged leave of absence and branches . take away and destroy plant impress by pernicious ground - borne fungal infections ( i.e. , Fusarium Wilt . )
Is The Plant Considered Toxic Or Poisonous To People Or Pets?
Asters are not only non - toxic ; they are edible . you may include the blush in salads and the leaves in herbal tea .
Is the Plant Considered Invasive?
Plants in the Asteraceae family of plant are broadly speaking enthusiastic growers and spreaders . They are spread out by seed , stem rooting , and root spread .
Although Asters are not termed incursive , they are aggressive and can make themselves unwelcome if not go on under ascendancy .
For this reason , it ’s a good idea to keep a close eye on them . Mow or perpetrate up wanderer to preclude them from invading your neighbour ’ thou .
Suggested Asters Uses
Depending upon the type of Asters you pick out , you’re able to count on these pretty plants to add up lots of late - season color to your landscape . They do well in :
Your enjoyment of Asters is only limited by your creativity .
