Perennial flowers with their greenery are among the first to delight gardeners in spring. At the end of May, flowering begins at the charming alpine aster. On low bushes, many chamomile inflorescences are revealed. It is this plant with a bright yellow center that resembles a flower from the Astrov family.
The varietal variety and modest charm have made this flower popular, and the compactness of the plant allows designers to use it in many compositions.
What care is needed and how a decorative perennial reproduces. Where to plant an alpine aster so that flowering lasts a long time, and the color is rich and bright.
The flower grows in the temperate climate of the northern hemisphere; its usual habitat is plains and high mountain meadows.
The height of the bush is from 15 to 35 centimeters, the stems are pubescent, erect. The plant branches strongly, the leaves of an elongated shape are located directly on the shoot. The underground part is represented by an overgrown horizontally oriented root system.
The leaves are in abundance in the lower part of the plant, becoming small and sparse towards the top. With all its appearance - the yellow center (these are tubular petals), the location of the reed petals, the aster looks like a camomile. The diameter of flower baskets reaches 6 centimeters, but more often 3-4 cm.
Flowering begins early, in late May - early June and lasts 30 days. Until the very winter, the plant does not lose its attractiveness and before winter leaves along with green leaves. Beautiful unpretentious perennial winters well without shelter in northern latitudes.
alpine daisy like garden plant, known for more than 5 centuries. During this time, many varietal varieties have been bred, flowers have been enlarged. The color scheme is the most diverse: pink, white, lilac and purple, blue and blue. Only the yellow core remains unchanged.
Landscape designers tastefully decorate with decorative squat bushes adjoining territories and park areas. Due to the fact that the flower grows rapidly, it eventually forms integuments that have a very lush appearance.
There are several territories on the domestic map where the alpine perennial aster is recognized as a rare and endangered species. She is also medicinal plant helps with some ailments.
Varieties
Blue flowers, 3 cm in circumference. The bush is low, only 20 cm.
Large pale purple flower heads distinguish this species.
A short bush up to 20 centimeters has white flowers. It is characterized by lush flowering and a large number of green leaves.
The color scheme of this variety is blue with a terry sunny center. The flowers are large, sometimes up to 8 centimeters, and the bush itself is relatively high - it can grow up to half a meter. Blooms continuously.
Bright pink flowers up to 4 cm in coverage. It grows rapidly, forming rounded caps.
Astra of this variety has a dark purple color of small inflorescences. Effective combination It turns out if you place plant species of contrasting color next to each other.
Pink daisies on strong branched bushes attract the eye. This varietal species is very common in garden compositions.
Lilac flower baskets 3.5-4 centimeters in diameter.
Intense rose red hue and medium sized flowers and shrubs.
In addition to individual varieties, perennial mixtures look interesting. Complementing and shading each other, differently colored flowers create a truly magnificent sight.
Planting and reproduction
Plant an aster of this species different ways: V open ground seeds, seedlings, propagated by dividing the bush and cuttings.
Seeds in open ground
Can be sown in early spring(at the end of April) either in summer or autumn. A cold-resistant plant germinates well, provided that the seed material is not old.
When collecting your seeds from faded baskets, you must remember that varietal characteristics may not be transmitted to a new bush.
Make grooves on the bed and plant seeds by direct sowing, water and cover with a film. In such a greenhouse, they quickly hatch. After the seedlings show 2-3 leaves, you can plant them in the right place.
Perennials usually bloom in the second year if they are planted in summer or autumn. But those that are planted in April can give a poor flowering already this year.
We sow seedlings
In February or early March, alpine aster is sown at home.
- Equip containers with drainage holes;
- The soil should be light, fertile, it is better if the soil is from a special store;
- The seeds are not buried, but laid out on a damp surface and slightly sprinkled with earth;
- Spray with a spray bottle and cover with a film;
- Dive when 2-4 true leaves appear;
- In May, seedlings are gradually accustomed to coolness, taking them out to the veranda or other room;
- In early June, we plant seedlings in the ground on the street;
- Planting is carried out in dug-up beds with loose, drained soil;
- Planting scheme for undersized and medium-sized perennials 30-50 centimeters between specimens.
Alpine aster can grow in one place for a long time, but it does not reproduce by self-seeding. To update plantings and obtain new bushes, division of the root system is used.
Dig up a (three-year-old or more) plant in the fall after flowering or in the spring. Separate part of the root along with the upper stems. Transplanted to a prepared place, observing the required distance.
With this method of reproduction, the plant retains all the signs of the mother bush. This procedure is carried out every 3-4 years.
cuttings
This method of propagation of Alpine chamomile is also available, while the characteristics of the parent plant are preserved in full. The procedure is performed in the summer.
- Cut off the tops of young shoots, the recommended cutting height is 5-6 centimeters;
- Make sure that three sheets are left on it;
- We deepen the cuttings into the prepared loose substrate, moisten and put in partial shade;
- Cover the landing with fibrous cover;
- A month later, roots appear;
- Now the plant can be planted on permanent place outside.
Care
Perennial aster does not require careful supervision. Watering should be moderate, make sure that the water does not stagnate. During flowering, the soil should be moistened more.
Attention! If the place is chosen sunny, open, the flower will please with abundant development, stable flowering. In the shade it may not bloom at all, this should be taken into account when choosing a place for planting.
The earth prefers water and breathable, light. When the roots are exposed, they need to be sprinkled or the bush should be transplanted, deepening to the required depth.
The plant is able to degenerate, shrink a little. Regular transplanting and updating will help prevent this development.
What is sick
In very humid weather, or if the location of the flower is not chosen correctly, the roots rot, black mold appears. Powdery mildew forms on the leaves. The affected parts of the plant are discarded, and the rest is sprayed and treated. antifungal drugs, as well as Bordeaux liquid mixture.
Attacks aster and aphids. The leaves captured by it are not able to grow well, and the flowers cease to form. They simply do not have enough strength for this - the aphid sucks the juices from the shoots.
From all insect pests (slugs, caterpillars, mites) help effective methods– spraying with ash or soapy water, you can mix them. You can dust with wood ash and the space under the flower.
Place in landscape design
Alpine aster blooms for a long time and goes well with many plants and shrubs. This is a kind of background, which can be supplemented with anything.
Flowers, having similar colors, but having different shapes, are very in harmony with this modest flower: border bearded irises, violets, bergenia, geraniums.
Multi-colored flower arrangements also benefit visually. You can plant yellow loosestrife and multi-flowered spurges next to the alpine perennial, prominent stonecrop.
Shrubs such as white and variegated dogwood, Thunberg barberry, Japanese spirea will be good neighbors for a small, uncomplicated aster.
thyme and different types ornamental grasses should be combined in plantings with all varieties of this species.
Since flowering is early, it will be great to combine the plantings of a low perennial with other types of asters (middle and late) - September, October, Belgian and other varieties.
The beauty of the Alpine aster can be appreciated both in single and group planting. This is a great curb groundcover.
- Flower beds of all kinds: rabatki, rock gardens and rockeries, mixborders;
- Like balcony and potted plant for landscaping terraces, verandas, arbors;
- Decoration of the shores of small artificial reservoirs;
- Rocky Japanese gardens.
Violent lush flowering, combined with unpretentiousness in maintenance, simply obliges to acquire this plant. A unique, delicate flowering bush will be the favorite of the garden - it will be one of the first to bloom, it will require a minimum of attention, and its magnificent forms will become the highlight of your site.
The genus of Alpine asters has about 250 species of annual, biennial, perennial herbaceous plants and semi-shrubs. Widely distributed in various natural zones of the Northern Hemisphere, especially in North America. Feels great in the Alps, Sayans, Altai, Caucasus. Plants are suitable for cultivation on the Alpine hills and for borders.
Asters according to the timing of flowering are divided into spring-, summer-, autumn-blooming. Inflorescences solitary, very attractive, 4-5 cm in diameter, on thin peduncles; widely used for cutting. Some shrub species grow exclusively in South Africa. The name reflects the resemblance to a star - numerous rays-petals diverge from the bright yellow center. Outwardly, it resembles a garden chamomile or daisy, hence the second name - alpine chamomile.
The unpretentiousness and modest, long-lasting decorativeness of the alpine aster favorably distinguishes perennial counterparts from annual ones. Having planted one plant, they admire it for more than one year with minimal care and concern.
Botanical description
Alpine aster, Korzhinsky aster, false aster - a close relative or annual, one of the perennial representatives huge family asters, has earned the love of many flower growers for several centuries. This is a medium-sized plant up to 35 cm high. good lighting the bush, growing, acquires a three-dimensional shape.
Upright, pubescent, strongly branched branches depart from the thickened rhizome. The root is horizontal and branched. The basal leaves are obovate, located on the stems - lanceolate, shallower towards the top, occasionally pubescent without petioles. In winter, the plants go green. The involucre is hemispherical, consisting of a pair of rows of lanceolate-elongated leaflets. Inflorescence - apical basket up to 6 cm with many reed flowers of various color palette- from whitish to dark ultramarine. Seeds are obovate with a tuft. Blooms from late May to July. Do not lose their attractiveness until the snow.
The plant has been cultivated since the 16th century, and is actively used to decorate plots by many gardeners and summer residents. IN landscape design used for mixborders, borders, alpine slides and foreground group plantings. Cultivated in the northernmost regions, withstood long winters without consequences.
Growing alpine aster
If your flower garden is not shaded, well lit by the sun, the beautiful alpine aster will not require special care. She needs well-drained, non-acidic soil, but otherwise they are unpretentious and hardy. During mass flowering, they require abundant watering. Tall species and varieties need moderate feeding. As soon as the cold sets in (mid-October and later), cut the stem to the root collar. This operation can be transferred to the spring, combined with the removal of frozen shoots.
If you notice the alpine aster rhizomes protruding from the soil, then you should transplant the plant as soon as possible with a deepening or carefully sprinkle it with earth, covering the bare areas. Some varieties quickly degenerate, so they should be periodically divided. For transplantation, the most healthy parts of the rhizome with large shoots and a well-developed root system are used. They are fed at the beginning of the growing season with potassium fertilizer with the addition of calcium, which is used as chalk or finely crushed eggshells.
During the summer, ash is poured under the plants, followed by loosening. Doesn't like fresh manure. It ceases to bloom with an excess of unripened organic matter. They winter well without shelter, only young and recently transplanted specimens are covered with spruce branches, dry moss.
Reproduction by dividing the bush
Propagated mainly by dividing the bush. The best time for this operation is May - September. Delenki are grown at a distance of about 15 cm from each other. When they develop, they can be planted in open ground. They are also propagated by seeds that quickly lose their germination capacity, sown in a nursery from April to July or before winter, provoking natural stratification.
Growing alpine aster from seeds
IN middle lane Alpine aster can be freely sown simply in the ground, in early April, covering the bed with a film. The grown seedlings can be transplanted in a month to a permanent place, and by the end of summer small flowering bushes will already form. Next year they will be fully developed and will please with abundant flowering.
At home, the seeds are sown in March-April, in bowls, containers filled with a light substrate. It is possible to grow without diving, if you place the seeds at a considerable distance from each other and gradually carefully pour the soil.
How to grow alpine aster from seeds for seedlings at home:
- You can sow as early as the end of February and until the very end of April. Sometimes those who did not have time plant seeds in the middle of summer.
- Seeds are buried in the substrate by a centimeter and a half, no more.
- It is better if you plant a couple of seeds in separate cups. If planting in large containers or boxes, make rows no closer than 8 cm apart, leave a row distance of 5 cm.
- Drainage is required, so make sure the container has holes for water to drain.
- It is better to water moderately so as not to clog the soil and it does not become too hard.
- Great for planting at home, a regular ready-made substrate for flowers is suitable. If it is not at hand, take care of the rotted organics by adding a good half of it to the garden soil and mix.
- Choose southern windows where there is enough light and the plants will not stretch.
They can be transferred to open ground in summer or early autumn. They bloom in 3 years. Varietal characteristics are not always preserved during seed propagation; this must be taken into account when breeding especially rare specimens.
Alpine aster can be propagated by cuttings
Such reproduction completely duplicates the parent copy. Cuttings are taken from healthy plants. The lower internode is cleared of leaves, treated with root or other stimulant, the top is pinched. Can be applied succinic acid as a stimulant for the formation of roots, lightly powdering the sections with it.
Rooting occurs within two weeks. To accelerate the formation of roots, the cuttings in the nursery are covered with a film or glass. Every day they ventilate for 5-10 minutes, lifting the shelter. Water as it dries, avoiding waterlogging. In early autumn, they are transplanted to a permanent place at a distance of 15-20 cm.
Diseases and pests of the alpine aster
Roots are often affected black mold, which leads to decay of the root system, death of the plant. Powdery mildew, called white Asteraceae disease, may appear on the leaves. This happens as a result of the wrong choice of the location of the plant. They are treated from this scourge by available means.
Of the insects, the most dangerous aphid, which slows down growth, damaging young stems, sucking the juice out of them; deformed inflorescences develop from the affected shoots, which do not bloom in the future. The danger is represented by snails that gnaw on young shoots. Snails are disposed of with the help of ashes. All this can be avoided by placing the bushes in open, well-lit, ventilated places.
Tar water is used against insects (2-3 tablespoons of birch tar per 10 liters of water), watering plants and watering cans with it. Good results are obtained by processing with ordinary laundry soap. You can dissolve soap in tar water, which will increase the effect of the treatment. The division of the bush involves rejuvenation, this must be done every 3-5 years. It is better not to be zealous with top dressing and fertilizer - in the natural conditions of the growth of alpine asters, the soil is usually poor. When overfeeding, the plant may not bloom or get sick.
Popular varieties of alpine aster
Albus (Albys) - one of the first to bloom, in early June, short stems are strewn with small dark green leaves. The flowers are white with a yellow core, semi-double and simple, scattered throughout the spherical bush. Height 12-22 cm. Looks perfect in rockeries, on alpine slides.
Gloria - simple blue flowers do not exceed 3 cm in diameter. falls at the end of May, June. A bush with emerald lanceolate leaves is decorative until late autumn. Height up to 35 cm. Suitable for low borders, flower beds, rockeries. Unpretentious, stable, responsive to care.
Goliath - semi-double light purple flowers on grassy low bushes of gray-green color. When used as a groundcover, it grows rapidly and occupies the area provided to it. Timely removal of twigs that have lost their decorative effect contributes to long-term flowering.
Rosea - baskets with a diameter of 6 cm are collected from buds with pink petals, a yellow-greenish center. Height is about 15 - 20 cm. Blooms in July. Form balls woven bright flowers. The grassy part is bright green. Suitable for compositions near stones.
Happy End (Happy End) - a variety with erect strong stems, the earliest flowering. Rose petals adorn the rosette. Slightly taller than their counterparts. Flowering is abundant and long from May to July. Valuable border plant with dense, compact, spherical bushes profusely covered pink flowers during flowering. When landing along the tracks, it looks spectacular and picturesque. Faded shoots should be removed in a timely manner, thereby prolonging flowering.
Dunkle Shene is a low, lush aster with deep purple flower petals and a bright yellow center that does not exceed 3 cm in diameter and 25 cm high.
Ruber - amazingly beautiful flowering captivates the eye. Intense reddish-pink flowers will brighten up any space in your garden. Height up to 30 cm is suitable for single plantings in curtains, as well as for borders, flower beds, rocky hills. Having landed it along the paths, create a magnificent ensemble with a lawn.
Superbus - unpretentious, with lilac-blue flowers on delicate and vengeful bushes. Decorate anywhere in your garden. Feels good with light shading, decorating the walls of sheds and other outbuildings.
Dark Beauty and Helen Beauty - picturesque clumps of 15 cm stalks with bright purple flower petals are used as a ground cover in places of memory, creating a long-blooming clearing. Planted between stones, they look great.
Combining landings from different varieties, colors achieve continuous flowering from early spring to late autumn. This is achieved by supplementing alpine varieties with other types of perennial asters - October, September, Italian, Belgian, New England and New Zealand varieties.
Only from these flowers alone, alternating varieties and plant heights, you can create an English mixborder - an indispensable element of European design, which will remain decorative throughout the year and will delight its creator and his household with magnificence, lush flowering. Mixborder, located along the fence, fence or against the background of the building will hide the flaws, decorate the territory of the site or garden and give completeness landscape composition. Requires minimal effort and maintenance. Such plantings look organic, they are constantly in bloom, thereby favorably differing from ordinary flower beds and flower beds.
Medicinal properties
Are used medicinal properties alpine chamomile. ethnoscience applies flowering tops. They are successfully used for gastrointestinal disorders, treatment of scrofula, tuberculosis. Harvested during the flowering period: cut, laid out in one layer, dried under awnings, avoiding sunlight. Decoctions, lotions treat children and adults. Juice is used for various dermatoses.
This unpretentious plant has attracted the attention of people since ancient times with its modest magnificence. Ancient buildings are decorated with ornaments that repeat the curves of twigs and sepals. They were found during excavations in ancient tombs and burials. It is mentioned in legends and myths about love and fidelity associated with the goddess of love Aphrodite, personifying divine beauty and unfading youth.
It was believed that these cute ''stars'' appeared in place of the footprints of the goddess. They were planted in ancient times at the entrances to temples and houses in order to earn the favor of heavenly bodies and gods. People gave them to each other when parting, believing that they help lovers find happiness and meet again.
Many amateur flower growers are chasing impregnable, capricious exotics, not noticing the simple, not making great demands and content with little attention to representatives of the flora, which is our shy, who, with unobtrusive care, is self-sufficient, respectable in those places where your other chosen ones will wither and die .
Often passing by abandoned areas, you can notice flowering bush alpine aster under thickets of raspberries or currants. What kind of care can we talk about in this case, and the plant is alive, growing, blooming. It is worth adding a little attention and care to it, and it will thank with a gentle long flowering. Few have such properties and exceptional zest for life.
The plant is perfect for those summer residents who prefer to just relax in the country or personal plot without bothering to take care of the plants. Alpine chamomile will always thank everyone with its cheerful little stars. Of course, in this case, you need to pay attention to more unpretentious varieties.
Alpine aster is another magnificent creation of mother nature, delighting us with its flowering, discreet beauty, captivating with unpretentiousness, endurance, charm. Growing it will not be difficult even for beginner growers.
Astra alpine perennial can be an excellent decoration, garden or balcony. This flower is highly valued for its ease of care. If you want on your land plot or balcony blossomed aster alpine perennial- planting and care, photos and cultivation features are presented in our article.
The main differences between the alpine aster
Alpine aster is one of the varieties of the genus of herbaceous plants called Asters. This perennial flower is widespread in many countries around the world. The main differences of the Alpine aster:
short stature - up to 35 cm;
yellow center;
petals in 2 or 3 rows;
colors - shades of red and purple, less often white;
flowering period - all summer.
Outwardly, the flower looks like a chamomile. We present to your attention our photo selection, which presents several varieties of perennial alpine aster.
In the photo, popular varieties of perennial alpine aster
Rules for planting a perennial alpine aster
All perennial asters need abundance 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.
In the photo: Alpine aster seeds Planting seeds of perennial alpine aster
In the southern regions, alpine aster seeds 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. Purchased soil is quite suitable for planting seeds. 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.
This is what seedlings of perennial asters look like
Care for asters seedlings includes infrequent but plentiful watering. You can feed the seedlings a little with infusion of ash. Drainage is a must. From mid-spring, seedlings begin to harden off, and at the end they are planted in open ground.
Reproduction of perennial asters by dividing the bush
So you can propagate the flowers growing on your or any other plot of land. Perennial alpine asters should definitely be replanted and divided every 7 years. But many flower growers note that if you do this more often (for example, once every three years), the splendor of flowering is better preserved. After digging up the roots, remove all damaged parts and process planting material in a disinfectant. Landing in the same place can be carried out only after 5 years.
The division of the bush - the possibility of breeding perennial asters Cutting cuttings and their rooting
From the top of the bush, you need to cut a cutting 6 cm long. It is immediately planted in the prepared soil, consisting of soddy soil, sand and peat, and covered with agrofiber. Caring for cuttings before rooting involves regular watering. In about a month, they will take root, and they can be transplanted to a permanent place.
How to ensure proper care of perennial aster
As noted at the beginning, the perennial alpine aster - unpretentious plant. But this does not mean that once planted, you can completely forget about it, ignoring the elementary rules of care. The plant may not please with the full beauty of its flowering, if it feels an acute lack of moisture, it becomes overgrown with weeds, and the earth around it does not regularly loosen. Good way retain moisture and prevent the formation of weeds - mulching the soil.
Dried flower stalks must be removed immediately so that the plant does not waste energy on it. If severe winters are observed in the region, sprinkle the plant with sand or earth in the fall. In land with a low humus content, it should be periodically applied organic fertilizers. Feed asters with preparations containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. You can add lime to the top dressing.
Perennial alpine asters are responsive to top dressing Diseases of perennial asters and the fight against them
Asters are often exposed to such diseases:
Blackleg- common fungal disease. Blackening and rotting of the plant occurs. Method of struggle: immediate removal of the affected sprouts and watering the earth with an appropriate fungicide.
Rust- the disease is manifested by swelling and drying of the leaves. Bordeaux fluid helps in the battle.
Fusarium- a fungal disease of perennial asters, manifested in yellowing and wilting of the plant. All affected parts must be burned. For prevention, it is important to transplant asters to a new place.
What plant to plant in the country, so that it is pleasing to the eye and does not require care efforts? Designers recommend alpine perennial aster. The article outlines recommendations for planting and caring for asters planted in open ground. The varieties of alpine aster, their features and cultivation rules are described in detail. You will learn how to combine aster with other plants and apply it in landscape design.
Description: varieties and varieties of alpine aster
Astra is one of the most common colors used in outdoor landscaping, on summer cottages. These flowers delight the eye from spring to late autumn.
Unpretentious bright asters delight the eye of flower growers with their simplicity and grace.
The first of the asters family blooms at the end of May, the perennial alpine aster is a spring-summer flowering plant, up to 25-30 cm high. Asters usually bloom profusely for more than three to four weeks. Flower rosettes of Alpine aster are medium in size (do not exceed 4-6 cm in diameter), located one at a time on the stem. Alpine aster resembles chamomile in shape and arrangement of petals, which is why it is sometimes called alpine chamomile. This flower is great for decorating the foot Alpine slide, frost-resistant.
The aster looks very nice next to the stones
Diversity colors alpine perennial aster contributes to its active use in landscape design. Breeders have bred many varieties of alpine aster with various colors flower baskets: there are dark purple, bluish-violet, light and dark pink, bright orange flowers.
The most common varieties of alpine aster:
- "Albus" - a white low aster, blooms in the first two months of summer, the stems are short (no higher than 15-20 cm), densely dotted with leaves;
Variety "Albus"
- "Gloria" - flower rosettes are painted in blue tones, inflorescences do not exceed 3 cm in diameter;
Grade "Gloria"
- "Goliath" is distinguished by light purple flower rosettes about 6 cm in diameter. It blooms for about a month, the beginning of flowering is June;
Variety "Goliath"
- "Rosea" - a flower of a pink hue, flower rosettes up to 4 cm in diameter;
Variety "Rosea"
- "Happy End" is characterized by strong straight stems, abundantly covered with leaves. It blooms in May, the flowering period is quite long - about a month;
Variety "Happy End"
- "Dunkle Schöne" - a spectacular dark purple aster, inflorescences about 3 cm;
Variety "Dunkle Schöne"
- "Ruber" - an unusual aster of a red-pink hue, flower rosettes up to 4 cm;
Sort "Ruber"
- "Superbus" - aster of lilac-blue tones, flower rosettes about 3.5 cm in diameter.
Sort "Superbus"
Planting a plant
Before planting a plant in open ground, you must select suitable location: All perennial asters love a well-lit sunny place. It is recommended to fertilize the soil before planting asters (phosphate preparations are used), dig up, select all weeds and moisten.
Astra does not need any special care, only watering, loosening and a well-chosen place for planting
It is advisable to add about 200 g of lime to the soil before digging the soil and planting asters (you can replace dolomite flour), about 100 g of superphosphate. Dig up to a depth of 30 cm.
Attention! Raw, flooded soils are categorically not suitable for planting asters. Under such conditions, the plant becomes infected powdery mildew and just dies.
plant care
Alpine aster is a perennial, unpretentious in care. It is necessary to ensure timely watering of the plant (infrequently, but plentifully) and loosening the soil, weeding weeds. Lack of moisture can lead to loss decorative look flower baskets and their drying. Before flowering, it is recommended to spud the crop to a height of up to 5-6 cm, thus accelerating the growth of the root system and its strengthening. During the flowering period, dried plants must be removed.
Remove weeds from flower beds in a timely manner so that they do not interfere with the growth and development of asters
The flower is frost-resistant, but for frosty winters it is recommended to mulch the perennial with soil or sand, given that the plant buds must be covered.
Fertilizer and top dressing
For lush flowering Alpine aster requires alkaline permeable soil containing calcium. As fertilizers for transplanting and pruning plants, phosphorus- and potassium-containing preparations should be applied to the soil.
If the aster is planted in soil with a low humus content, it is imperative to fertilize the soil with organic compounds at the rate of about 10 kg of humus per 1 m 2. In addition, 20 g of mineral nitrogen fertilizers should be applied to light soils.
Plant propagation
Alpine aster is propagated in two ways: by seeds and by dividing a bush that has been growing for a couple of years.
Aster seeds
seeds asters are harvested in late autumn after flowering, planted in fertilized soil and covered with a film to obtain a greenhouse effect. The resulting seedlings dive in March-April, after the first leaves appear. Asters grown from seeds in the open field bloom only in the second year. This propagation method is quite laborious, since seed germination is low.
The division of the aster bush(vegetative method) - simple and fast method propagation 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.
Advice. 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.
Alpine aster tolerates the division of the bush quite well
You can also asters all summer propagate by cuttings. The tops of the shoots are suitable for this, their recommended length is about 6 cm. Cuttings should be planted in beds specially prepared for them with special soil (turf, peat, sand in the ratio of 2 parts of earth to 1 part of peat and 1 part of sand) in partial shade, covered with agrofibre. Rooting time for cuttings is about 1 month. As cuttings, you can use young shoots up to 15 cm tall, cut into several parts, each of which should have 3 leaves. In August-September, such cuttings can be planted in a permanent place of growth.
Diseases and pests
Alpine perennial aster is ideal for landscape design, resistant to many diseases and pests, unpretentious in cultivation. However, in a wet 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 of water.
Powdery mildew control agent
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.
For the treatment of asters, biofungicides are used:
- "Topaz".
- "Fitosporin".
- "Alirin" and "Gamair".
Copper sulphate and its solution for plant treatment
There are other ways to protect the plant:
- spraying with an ash solution (in 10 l warm water dilute 1 kg wood ash leave to infuse for 6-7 days. The drug is applied by spraying the leaf surface three times);
- solution treatment laundry soap And blue vitriol(Mix 100 g of laundry soap with 5 g of copper sulfate, treat the plants twice).
In addition, during the summer period during the phase active growth perennial, it is recommended to carry out three basal feeding of asters with stimulants. At the beginning of budding, asters are treated with Energen (the recommended dose is 1 capsule per half a bucket of water). Then, during flowering, you need to give a second dose: the drug "Agricola for flowering plants» (about 30-35 g per bucket of water). The third time the plant is fed in August with a preparation of potassium sulfate: 30 g per bucket of water.
Alpine aster: combination with other plants
Alpine aster blooms for quite a long time, it is she who can serve as a background for other flowers, gradually replacing each other from spring to autumn.
Asters of different colors can look great in a flower bed
Curb irises, cypress spurge, evening primrose, multicolor spurge, spotted loosestrife, which are painted bright yellow, look spectacular against the background of purple asters. Looks interesting combination bearded irises and alpine asters - by planting blue or lilac varieties nearby, you can create a composition that is pleasing to the eye by playing on a smooth change of halftones.
Astra goes well with:
- violets;
- geraniums;
- stonecrop large;
- sedum prominent;
- derain white;
- bergenia;
- thunberg barberries;
- Japanese spiria.
Alpine aster in the flowerbed
Experienced gardeners willingly include in the composition with alpine aster primula Julia, reed grass, spartina, creeping thyme. Successful partners for perennial asters are ornamental cereals.
Alpine aster in landscape design
Since the perennial alpine aster is rather unpretentious in cultivation, it is actively used in landscape design, by gardeners and just lovers of wildlife in flower beds, rock gardens, in the design of flower beds, rocky hills, as a balcony plant.
Astra alpine perennial is equally loved by experienced landscape designers and amateur gardeners. It is easy to care for, does not require special conditions watering, but at the same time almost the whole summer pleases bright colors highlighting the beauty of the surrounding nature. Give your attention to the alpine aster, and she will thank you with lush flowering.
Planting perennial asters: video
Alpine aster: photo
Good day everyone!
The last article was about a one-year-old aster - a beauty autumn garden. I can not stop and continue the story about asters. Today, the heroine of the article is Astra alpine perennial: growing from seeds. It blooms unusually early for an aster - in May-June, about a month. The flowers are medium-sized, about 5 cm in diameter, reminiscent of simple multi-colored daisies. Usually the alpine aster bushes are low - 25-30 cm, the color of the flowers is very different: lilac, pink, blue, white, raspberry.
They grow well into lush bushes and look great on slides, rockeries, as a border, and in a single planting or in small groups. For lush flowering, you need to pinch the shoots and remove the fading flowers.
How to grow alpine aster from seeds
Choosing a place to plant a perennial aster
The site for planting asters must be chosen thoughtfully, since in one place it can grow up to five years. But he is not afraid of transplanting, you can transplant in spring or autumn, at the same time and propagate by dividing the bush.
Alpine aster prefers sunny places, but can grow in partial shade. In the shade will not work compact fluffy bushes, shoots will stretch, and flowering is much more modest. Astra does not like damp places, stagnant water in spring and after rains. Roots may rot.
Seedlings or sowing in open ground
Alpine aster propagates by seeds or by dividing an adult bush. Seeds can be sown directly in open ground. Seeds are sown on the prepared bed, it is not necessary to deepen it much, it is enough to sprinkle 1 cm of humus on top. The seeds are sown in the ground in May or before winter - in November-December in the frozen ground. Seedlings are planted in a permanent place. Asters bloom from seeds in the second year.
This method is well suited for the southern regions. In the Urals and in the northern regions, seedlings are usually grown at home. Planted in early June, after the last frost.
Seeds are prepared for planting, because they are more difficult to germinate in the alpine aster than in the ordinary one. , soaked. Alpine aster seedlings are sown and grown at home in the same way as an ordinary annual aster. I first sow in small containers, and then plant them in cassettes or boxes less often before planting in the ground.
You can read more about sowing asters with seeds in the article "".
Before planting in the front garden, be sure to harden off houseplants. In April, start taking them outside, let them get used to it. You need to plant seedlings in the evening, be sure to water well.
Reproduction of aster alpine seeds: video
Care
Astra loves water, but does not like too much of it. That's how you want, and spin. On hot days, I water the asters every day in the morning. A lot depends on the right place. I repeat that water should not be allowed to stagnate at the roots. This means that the soil should be loose, well pass water. And fertile, of course, because alpine asters grow for several years in one place. Asters also do not like acidic soils, you need to prepare an alkaline one for a plot with asters.
When the plants get older, they will not need such frequent watering, and, as they grow, they cover the ground. But it is better not to leave the soil bare, but to mulch the plantings immediately.
You can feed young asters with organic matter, infusion of mullein. Twice in the first half of summer. By autumn, the bushes need to prepare for winter, they do not need nitrogen for rapid growth. In autumn, you can pour infusion of ash.
If young asters picked up color in the fall of the first year, it is better to cut the buds, preventing flowering, otherwise the plants will not tolerate the winter well, and they will bloom later the next year.
Adult plants in the spring are watered with fertilizers with potassium, the same infusion of ash. for good flowering. To prolong flowering, fading flowers are cut off. Sometimes with a long warm autumn, asters bloom again in the fall. But it is better to cut such flowers so as not to weaken the plant before winter.
All summer after flowering, the alpine aster bushes retain their decorative effect. After flowering, they grow in lush, dark green curtains.
If you want to collect your seeds from them, do not remove all the flowers. Leave the first few. Seeds ripen in late July - August.
After five years, the plants need to be transplanted to a new place. Preferably in autumn. However, they can be divided and propagated. Try not to damage the roots when transplanting. Alpine asters should not be left in one place for a long time. As the bushes thicken, they will bloom worse and oppress each other.
Under the snow, asters go green, branches with leaves do not die off in autumn. If, nevertheless, they have dried up, then they need to be cut off for the winter. You do not need to cover them, they winter well in the middle lane and in the Urals.
If you have severe frosts without snow in autumn, then you can fill the base of the bushes with earth or sand so that the buds do not freeze. New buds in the alpine aster are formed on the shoots of the previous year.
In the spring, it is necessary that snow and melt water do not stagnate on the plantings of perennial asters. Green bushes can dry out from excess moisture.
Mature plants are not afraid of cold weather. And in the first year, it is better to cover young seedlings for the winter, with the same sand, or spruce branches, dry leaves, dry flowers. In the spring, the shelter is removed.
Diseases and pests do not damage the alpine aster. But when grown in a shady place, it can get sick with powdery mildew. It's easy to fix - transplant the bush to a sunny place and treat it with a biofungicide, for example, phytosporin.
