| Plant of the Month — Aster |
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| Thursday, 09 September 2010 18:46 | ||||||
Generally speaking Aster are easy plants to grow in the garden. Many are fall blooming and are often grown/sold in conjunction with Fall Mums (sometimes without differentiation) as an end of season crop and a herald of autumn weather. These Aster are much less likely to have had their hardiness bred out of them (as has happened with many of the Chrysanthemum selections) and as such are excellent contenders to be promoted as hardy perennials. Most Aster prefer full sun, a notable exception being Aster divaricatus (Eurybia divaricata) or White Wood Aster a relatively common native in Eastern North American dry woodlands. All Aster are herbaceous perennials with the ability to age to woody like stature by the end of the season until winter causes a retreat to safety. All have alternate leaves, usually in dark green. Sometimes these leaves are oval, sometimes linear, often hairy, but frequently hairless but unfortunately Aster are often prone to attack by powdery mildew. Maintaining the plants in peak health is the best way to avoid the problem. Ensure that plants receive adequate moisture, and endeavor to provide good air circulation so that they are not stressed. Read more about Asteraceae here. Aster amellus ‘Blue King’ A selection of the aforementioned type species. Known as Italian Starwort this is a true Aster. ‘Blue King’ has copious quantities of violet blue daisies with bright yellow centers appearing in late summer. Height: 1’ (30cm) Spread: 18” (45cm) USDA 3-9
Native to Western China and India this is another example of a ‘true’ aster that is reasonably available here in North America. It is worth seeking out for the violet blue flowers with golden-orange centers that appear in late spring to early summer – somewhat unusual for daisy-like blooms. Easy to grow in full sun. Height: 20” (50cm) Spread: 12” (30cm) USDA 4-8 Aster x frikartii 'Monch' A cross between A. amellus and A. tompsonii and thus a true Aster. ‘Monch’ is a well known and loved Aster in areas where it is hardy, which is problematic in areas with colder winters. Known as Michalmas daisy or Frikart’s asters, grow in full sun to part shade and ensure good drainage especially in winter. Blooms mid summer through fall. Strong upright growth with large (2”, 5cm) violet ‘flowers’ with yellow centers. Excellent disease resistance. Height: 2’-3’ (60cm-1m) Spread: 18” (45cm) USDA 6-9 Aster ericoides ‘Snow Flurry’ Symphyotrichum ericoides ‘Snow Flurry’. Heath Aster, the species is native to North America and can reach 3’ (1m) in height while this cultivar was selected for its prostrate habit and makes an excellent low growing ground cover for dry sunny areas. Dense foliage is covered in masses of small (1/2”, 12mm) single white daisies with yellow eyes in September, October. Another excellent plant to watch for as an unusual native ground cover that is tough and disease resistant. Height: 6”-8” (15cm-20cm) Spread: 1’-2’ (30cm-60cm) USDA 3-9. Aster lateriflorus ‘Horizontalis’ Symphyotrichum lateriflorum. Calico Aster. A lovely aster with a shrubby growth habit and a tendency to hold branches in a decidedly horizontal arrangement, quite striking. Small dark green leaves turn delightful shades of copper and purple with the advent of cooler weather in the fall. Just in time to show off the masses of tiny white daisies with mauve centers that are a magnet for butterflies. Full sun with moist but well drained soil. Height: 24” (60cm) Spread: 16” (40cm) USDA 4-8 Also look for S. lateriflorum ‘Lady in Black’ which sports deep purple foliage all summer. Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’. New England Aster or Michaelmas daisy or Fall Aster. A well known selection sure to do well in moist well drained areas in full sun. A compact grower, pinching in early July will ensure a nice cushion form for fall. Masses of deep purple flowers cover the deep green foliage from late summer through to mid fall. Often touted as one of the best asters to emerge from the selection process. Height: 18” (45cm) Spread: 24” (60cm) USDA 2-9 Aster novi-belgii ‘Lady in Blue’ Symphyotrichum novi-belgii ‘Lady in Blue’. New York Aster or Michaelmas daisy. This selection has a really nice compact habit with masses of semi-double lavender blue flowers in early autumn. Again full sun is preferred with moist but well drained soil. Height: 12” (30cm) Spread: 18” (45cm) USDA 3-9 |
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