Perennial asters: spherical, heather, undersized, curb. Perennial asters - stars of the autumn garden New Zealand perennial aster

Astra is a beautiful flower. Not at all exotic, but not a single flower bed in our front gardens can do without it. Her beautiful flowers various shades delight us with a long warm autumn until the first snow. The perennial Astra is a herbaceous plant with small leaves and flowers that bloom in late summer. Peonies and chrysanthemums look like her, and therefore they are often confused.

Flowers are:

• White;
• Burgundy;
• Lilac;
• Pink;
• Purple.

Height, depending on the variety, varies from 20 cm to 150 cm.

This plant has many varieties that have different bush heights and coloring of flowers. As a result, by mixing and selecting varieties, you can create the most beautiful flower bed, which will delight us all autumn with its flowering.

A variety of colors allows the aster to occupy a leading position in popularity in landscape design.

perennial stunted

Among the large variety of perennial Asters, a group of dwarf stunted ones stands out well. They grow up to a height of 20 cm, and with their help, rock gardens and the edges of various ridges and flower beds are formed.

When the flowers bloom, the small bush is completely covered with flowers, so that even greenery is almost invisible.

Gardeners appreciate the view for excellent frost resistance, it will be necessary to cover them with spruce branches only in the northern regions of Russia, where there are severe and prolonged frosts.

In contrast, there is a variety of Callistefus Chinese. The variety is also known as an annual, as it blooms from mid-summer to October.

Pink

Pink shades of flowers can also have Alpine, New Belgian and other types of perennial Asters. All of them differ in the period of flowering and the height of the bush.

Bush

Bush - a perennial species, grows in a compact bush about 50 cm in height. The homeland of the species is recognized North America . Flowering occurs in September and lasts until the first frost.

Flower shades:

• White
• purple

White

White perennial is also not the name of the species, since many varieties of Alpine and Italian perennial Astra species bloom with white flowers.

Alpine

A common variety with an early flowering period. Astra is native to the Alps. The height of an adult bush is 30 cm. In sunny areas it can grow about 15 cm. It is often planted at the forefront of the flower bed or along garden paths.

Flowers blooming on a bush have the following parameters:

Italian

This perennial Astra grows to a height of 60 cm and is a representative of this species, which is planted in the middle ground of flower beds. Her inflorescences reminiscent of chamomile flowers and have a diameter of up to 4 cm and a light purple color of the petals.

If not for the purple petals, Italian would be a copy of chamomile

New England: tall view

Tall, grows up to 150 cm in height. Therefore, it is planted with a tapeworm in the center of the flower bed, planting it with various varieties. Flower buds are collected in dense brushes of 25 pieces, the diameter of a single flower reaches 4 cm.

Color shades:

• White;
• Pink;
• Purple.

Landing

To make the flower bed look beautiful and please the eye, it is important choose the right varieties Asters and plant them correctly. All procedures are simple, but they should be followed in order for the perennial to please with its flowering.

How to choose a place to land

In order for the bushes to grow well and not get sick, and in the fall they are completely covered with flower buds, you need to choose the right place in the flower bed. The soil in the area allotted for perennial Asters should be sufficiently loose and nutritious.

Check the quality of the soil BEFORE planting, otherwise the flower may hurt and grow poorly

If the soil is poor in trace elements, then complex fertilizers should be applied before planting.

Before planting the rhizomes of the plant, humus cannot be introduced, since unrotted humus will provoke the development of fusarium.

The place should be sunny, but the flowers easily tolerate penumbra or lacy shade from the foliage of a tree.

If in the garden The groundwater lie very close to the surface of the soil, then when planting they make a 10 cm pillow of gravel in order to avoid rotting of the root system of the plant.

How to sow seeds

Perennial Astra reproduces well by sowing seeds. To do this, untreated seeds are treated with any growth stimulant and fungicide, after which they are planted in prepared boxes up to 10 cm deep, filled with nutrient soil.

To make the rows even, they can be made with a knife or wooden ruler.

The depth of planting seeds in the ground should be no deeper than 2 cm.

After the seeds have been laid out in the prepared grooves, they are sprinkled with a small layer of disinfected (calcined) sand. After that, the earth should be shed with a pink solution of potassium permanganate - this will prevent infection of the seedlings with the "black leg".

In order for the seedlings to sprout more amicably, the seedling box is covered with glass or placed in a transparent bag to form greenhouse conditions.

The air temperature in the room where seedlings are grown should be +20 degrees. When most of the germinated seedlings appear, the glass is removed and the first watering is done.

What time to grow

The end of March is the best time to start sowing perennial Asters for seedlings. If it is necessary to propagate by seeds by sowing seeds immediately in open ground, then this period depends on the habitat of the gardener.

In the southern regions of Russia, they are planted in open ground, depending on weather conditions in early April and covered with foil to create greenhouse conditions. In the Moscow region the beginning of sowing seeds falls on the first days of May, since return frosts can also be at the end of May.

Seeds can be sown in autumn before winter, but then they will need to be covered with peat, which will protect them from freezing.

How seedlings are grown

So that the seedlings do not stretch excessively, it is necessary to take them out to a cooler room, where the air temperature will be about 16 degrees Celsius. The room should be sunny.

Timely rotation of seedlings to the light ensures its proper development.

In order for seedlings to develop evenly from all sides, it is necessary turn different parties in relation to the sun.

Do not forget to do timely watering, preventing young seedlings from drying out.

Basic rules of care

In order for perennial bushes to please their owner, they must be cared for. Here are some wishes that must be met when cultivating the plant.

Watering

Any Asters and perennials are also fairly drought tolerant plants. But in order for the flowering to be lush during the summer, regular watering of the plant is necessary. But they should not be flooded, and therefore, during the period when there is no rain, they are watered for many years. once every 10 days.

With a lack of moisture, the bush will turn yellow and drop foliage.

Temperature

Temperature doesn't really matter, but average temperature at 28 degrees Celsius, the plant develops well. If the air temperature drops to +5 degrees or rises above 35 degrees, Astra falls into a dormant state.

Naturally, this does not develop root system and flower buds are not laid.

fertilizers

The plant requires three feedings during the growing season. Of course they can live without additional conditions, but fertilizing the flower will result in more lush bloom and nice shape bush.

All top dressing should be done only after watering - this will save the root system of the plant.

Diseases and pests

Fusarium - this disease is not treated, all perennial Asters infected with this disease are destroyed outside the site. But disease can be prevented doing prevention:

1. Do not fertilize with manure the soil intended for planting Asters.
2. The soil is limed, thereby lowering its acidity.

Fusarium is dangerous not only for asters - this disease is on the list of the most dangerous for a number of plants. For example, we already wrote about it in the section,.

Incurability makes fusarium one of the most dangerous enemies of asters

Rust on sheet plates are raised parts that are located on the underside of the sheet plate. sick plants are destroyed, and the rest are treated with the drug "Hom".

Sometimes aphids and onion bugs can be seen on the bushes - these pests can be easily destroyed if you dilute one Iskra tablet in a bucket of water.

It is worth starting the treatment of a diseased plant immediately after the discovery of the disease.

Flower propagation methods

Besides seed propagation perennial Asters, there are simpler ways:

1. The division of an adult bush.
2. cuttings.

The division of the bush is The easiest way, which should propagate a perennial plant. The best time for this spring. The division of an adult bush can be done once every 4 years, this time is enough for the divided bush to acquire large quantity roots and twigs on a bush.

Therefore, in order to propagate a bush, you need:

1. Dig up the old bush.
2. With a shovel, divide it into parts in which there will be roots and the vegetative mass of the plant.
3. They are planted in prepared holes and watered so that they take root better.

Don't forget to maintain the temperature - create greenhouse conditions with a simple glass jar

Cuttings are carried out just as easy, as well as the division of the bush. For this purpose, in June they cut apical cuttings and planted in the ground where there is no sun. For greenhouse conditions, it is well worth covering with a three-liter glass jar.

Watering is done as the soil dries out. They spend their first winter under a jar, and in the spring they remove it and transplant young bushes to their permanent place of growth.

Perennial Astra is unpretentious plant , which deserves its place in the garden in the flower beds. Since an autumn garden is not conceivable without it. Adhering to simple rules for caring for her, you can observe all her beauty when she blooms against the background of yellowed foliage.

Aster perennial undersized is a shrub up to 40 cm high. During flowering, these undersized perennials resemble a colorful, very bright pillow. In September-October, many gardens and flower beds are decorated with flowers of amazing beauty, blooming wildly against the backdrop of autumn nature. These are asters that can be grown as an annual crop or as a perennial.

Varieties of perennial asters

Most common undersized varieties, and among the people they are affectionately called septembers, frost, shooting stars ... The tops of the undersized aster shoots are crowned with inflorescences, which can be either pale pink or carmine, dark purple or all kinds of shades of blue.

Another undersized aster is called shrubby. Bushes of perennial undersized asters planted close to each other merge into a continuous, blinding carpet during flowering. The stems of this herbaceous plant branched, straight. Inflorescences are baskets, reaching up to 3 cm in diameter, depending on the variety. The flowers have a reed shape along the edges, and a yellow tubular shape in the middle. A perennial aster blooms for 35-40 days. Plants are loved by many flower growers for their unpretentiousness and easy care.

How to grow a dwarf aster

Astra grows well in sunny areas, but can withstand light shade. Low-growing varieties of asters can be planted in whole groups, to make borders from bushes. bright bushes autumn aster can be a soloist in a flower bed. Low-growing varieties of asters can be framed garden paths. Planting these plants is very easy.

Site selection

In order for your asters to bloom magnificently in the fall and grow well for several years without transplants, you should choose the right site for them. The best place for planting perennial asters - this is a sun-drenched area. The more sunlight the bushes receive, the more abundant and magnificent they will bloom.
Astra, of course, loves watering in dry weather, but it does not tolerate stagnant water at all. Therefore, the site for it must be selected without occurrence ground water and not at the bottom. Ideally, if the chosen place is on a small hill, so that water does not accumulate at the roots of the bushes.

On the north side of the plot, this plant will not bloom profusely - the aster loves warmth and sun.

Landing

The best period for planting, transplanting and propagating perennial asters is spring. Experienced flower growers, so as not to infect your site viral diseases garden plants, prefer to buy planting material in nurseries or specialized stores. Another aster can be grown from seeds or by cuttings, dividing the bush, if you already have such plants.

Read also: Derain white - Elegantissima: features of care and reproduction

Aster seed breeding method

The seed method of growing perennial asters is suitable only for the Alpine aster variety. The fact is that seedlings of perennial asters take root very poorly and grow weakened. Sow seeds in the fall, almost immediately after they are collected. But you can sow the seeds in the spring, when the air and soil are warm enough.
As soon as it becomes warm, the seeds will begin to germinate, and in the fall, young plants can be planted in a permanent place in the garden. In one place, the flower can grow without transplants up to 5 years.

Growing perennial aster from cuttings

A very common planting of this perennial crop is cuttings. You need to start cutting in early spring, at the moment when young shoots begin to appear. Shoots 15 cm long are cut into cuttings, the lower cut should be at an angle. The lower leaves from the cuttings are cut off, leaving only two leaves at the top of the shoot. Before planting, many experienced flower growers keep cuttings in a growth stimulator or simply in water.

The prepared cuttings are planted at angles in a shaded area under the cover of the film. Usually cuttings take root in a month. You can plant cuttings in greenhouses or in boxes under the film. The boxes are filled with a mixture of sod land, peat and sand, taken in equal parts. It is advisable to shed the soil with a weak solution of potassium permanganate before planting in order to exclude the appearance of diseases in young plants. After rooting, the cuttings are left to grow in the same place, and only in the spring of the next year they are planted in a permanent place in the garden. Caring for cuttings consists of regular watering and weeding. Planting a shrub aster does not differ from planting other perennials - a hole is dug, spilled with water, the plant is lowered into the hole and covered with earth.

Read also: Brugmansia - why the leaves turn yellow and what to do so that flowering does not stop all summer

The division of the bush

If your perennial aster bushes have grown strongly, then you can divide them into several young plants. Usually an aster bush grows in the same place without a transplant for up to 5 years. But after 5 years, the plant must be seated. When dividing the mother bush, they dig it out and release the roots from the ground. Then, with a sharp tool, the rhizome is divided into several parts, making sure that several shoots remain on each division. The old root must be discarded.

Divide bushes in early autumn or spring. For early varieties of asters, an autumn transplant is preferable, and for late varieties spring.

plant care

Astra perennial is a very unpretentious plant and its care is very simple. This is one of the few ornamental plants in the garden that can be safely forgotten immediately after planting. But still, in order for the aster to bloom magnificently and not get sick, it is necessary to follow very simple rules of care. Caring for this perennial comes down to regular watering, weeding, and disease control.

Watering

Astra does not like dampness, and therefore there is no need to water it too abundantly. But in the summer, and especially during the dry period, when it is hot, the plants should be well watered in the evening.

Mulching and loosening

Astra can grow on any soil, but still this plant prefers loose, breathable soil. If you have heavy soils on your site, then you will have to loosen under the bushes throughout the season.

Be sure to remove weeds around the bushes, as weeds can drown out the aster and prevent it from developing well.

To reduce weeding, you can mulch the soil around the roots. As a mulch, it is better to use peat, crushed tree bark or sawdust. Mulch will not only keep weeds from growing, but it will also help retain moisture in the soil, allowing you to water your plants less frequently.

Read also: Planting and caring for colchicum

Top dressing

Asters are very responsive to the introduction of mineral and organic fertilizers. In spring and summer, any organic matter, phosphate fertilizers and lime can be applied under the bushes. During the active growth of the bushes, they should be fed with humus. Fertilization will help the bushes gain green mass and tie more inflorescences.

Pruning bushes

To form a beautiful crown, shrubby undersized varieties of asters require pruning. If you plant asters along paths, then you definitely need to prune so that the bushes are compact.

Wintering

Astra is a winter-hardy plant that tolerates even severe frosts well. Before the onset of cold weather, you should cut off the ground part of the bushes and cover the roots with compost if your area has too severe winters. Astra can also be covered with fallen leaves or covered with sawdust. It is especially important to cover for the winter for young bushes with a not yet strong root system. In winter, the aster does not need care.

Diseases

Most often, the perennial aster suffers from the appearance of gray rot and powdery mildew. The cause of these diseases may be too damp weather or lack of care. To prevent the occurrence of these unpleasant diseases, spray the bushes with soapy water several times a season.

Use in garden design

Aster shrub is best suited for decorating the garden and creating an interesting landscape design. These plants grow very quickly, and thanks to their sprawling bushes form a beautiful background for the buds of other inhabitants of the garden.

The flower can be used to create living borders, as a hedge, to create green sculptures. The bush aster has one property that is very important for flower growers and landscape designers - you can quickly “cover” ugly areas in the garden with bushes. A dwarf aster can look great in the foreground in a flower bed.

Astra means "star" in Latin. So it was named for the shape of the flowers, which resemble an asterisk. Caring for this plant is really very simple, and the flower itself looks very beautiful in the garden. Try and you grow undersized varieties of asters on your site, which will become the main decoration throughout the autumn of your backyard.

Photo of varieties of perennial asters.

Astra is a favorite flower of gardeners. This plant is unpretentious, pleases with bright colors of inflorescences until late autumn. Even on cloudy days, it amazes with its amazing beauty. Astra can be grown as both an annual and a perennial crop. From the latter one can create hedge, as it grows rapidly and instantly covers the area with sparkling stars, it will delight until the first snow. Planting a perennial aster and care are particularly simple. Even an inexperienced gardener will cope if he follows the advice given in this article.

Preparing asters before planting

Asters can grow anywhere. To grow a perennial aster blooming with luxurious buds, the following conditions must be met:

• choose the right place for landing;
• prepare the right soil.

Site selection

Perennial aster loves sunny places. The bushes will be lush and bloom profusely if they get enough sunlight. In dry weather, the plant must be watered on time. Asters cannot stand water accumulations, so it is best to plant them in elevated areas. In partial shade, where there is no light, the plant will not bloom. And even if it releases buds, they will be dull and rare.

For planting, it is desirable to select loose soil, which is better to fertilize first. Light, fertile, permeable soil will help the culture feel in its place.

Choice right place depends on the variety and type of asters.

When planting several types of asters in one area, you need to consider the height of the plant and the flowering time. First, we plant a tall variety, in front of it are undersized perennials.

predecessors

The best predecessor for planting asters are saffron, marigolds, calendula. Where tulips, potatoes, tomatoes, asters grew, it is not recommended to plant. Should not be acidic soil.

Soil preparation

For planting perennials, we fertilize the ground with humus or make compost. You can add superphosphate in small quantities: 30 g per 1 sq. m. To reduce acidity, add dolomite flour to the soil: 200 g per 1 sq. m.

So that there is no stagnation of water and the earth passes water, additional drainage from fine gravel is necessary in the soil.

Before planting flowers, it is advisable to add river sand to the ground. It will help improve the structure of the soil. It is also necessary to get rid of weed grass, and then the earth is well leveled and loosened. The site for planting asters should begin to be prepared in the fall.

Landing technology

Blooming flower beds and lawns will delight with their graceful appearance, if we choose the right aster variety. For rapid reproduction, seed material should be treated with a growth stimulator. Next, you need to sow the seeds in grooves made in the ground of the planting box to a depth of about two centimeters. We fall asleep with calcined sand and water it.

Planting boxes should be no higher than 10 cm. In order for the shoots to be friendly, they are covered with glass or film. Thus, greenhouse conditions are created for seedlings. In the room where the seedlings are located, the temperature should be 20 ° C. When the seedlings germinate, remove the glass or film and water.

The best time for sowing seeds and propagating perennial asters is spring.

You can propagate the plant not only from seeds, but also by dividing the bush, as well as cuttings.

Features of care

Perennial aster - unpretentious flower. It doesn't require much maintenance. For normal prosperous growth you just need to water and feed on time, as well as protect the plant from pests and diseases.

Watering and fertilizing

In dry weather, do not forget to water the flowers. With the active growth of the green mass of the plant, the amount of moisture introduced can be increased. Tall stems need enough liquid to form luxurious buds.

Also, do not forget to add mineral fertilizers to the soil. Phosphorus-potassium mixtures are suitable for top dressing. In order for the bushes to be lush and more inflorescences to start, the plant should be fed by adding a little humus to the soil.

Nitrogen fertilizers should be applied not only in the spring, but also during the flowering period of the bushes.

The frequency of fertilization depends on the composition and content nutrients in the soil. In rainy summers, fertilizing should be done more often than in the dry season.

Loosening and mulching

The plant can grow in one place for several years. This does not mean that you can completely forget about it. Asters love airy and loose soil. Therefore, every season it is necessary to remove all weeds under the bushes and loosen the ground.

It is also necessary to mulch the soil using small sawdust, peat or tree bark. This measure will reduce the growth of weeds around the aster bushes and will allow them to be watered less often. Mulching the soil will retain moisture and slow down the drying process of the topsoil.

Pruning and garter

To form a beautiful crown, shrub varieties require pruning. With its help, you can create a beautiful hedge of the desired shape. The bushes will be compact and easier to care for. Tall stems without support will lie on the ground. To prevent this from happening, you need to make a garter using pegs or a nearby fence. Flowers that have already faded should be removed periodically.

Trimming the tops of the stems will increase the number of inflorescences.

Preparing for winter

At the first frost, it is necessary to cut the stems of the flower above the ground. For the winter, young bushes should be well covered with foliage and sawdust. In this way, we will preserve the fragile root system of a young plant. Old perennials can be sprinkled with foliage. Garden aster tolerates persistent frosts well. Therefore, in winter it does not require special care.

reproduction

Perennial aster reproduces by seeds and vegetatively.

Due to the dense shell, the seeds easily tolerate negative atmospheric conditions. They swell well, quickly germinate in the ground.

Seeds can remain viable for up to three years.

Planting and propagation of bush aster is best done in the spring. For planting flowers, you can buy seed material in stores or nurseries. Also, flowers can be grown by cuttings or dividing an adult bush.

seeds

Seeds are collected in late autumn - after the flowers have faded. Seed material should be planted in open ground in early spring. The seeds are deepened into the ground by 2 cm. They are watered with warm water, mulched. Within a week, the first shoots appear. If they are frequent, thin out the sprouts, leaving a distance of up to 15 cm between them. You can sow seeds in winter, covering them with compost. But this method does not give the desired results - weak sprouts are obtained.

Seed propagation is only suitable for alpine perennial aster. After sowing in a seedling box, the soil is watered, and the container is covered with glass - before shoots appear. After the appearance of friendly shoots on the tenth day, watering is carried out. The grown seedlings are planted in a permanent place in the fall.

cuttings

Cuttings of perennial asters are the most common method of plant propagation. This is done in the spring. When the first young sprouts appear, we cut off the tops no higher than 15 cm. The cut should be made along an oblique line. Remove the lower leaves from the stem. Then set for a few days before planting in the water. We add a growth stimulator. Then, under a slight slope, the shoots are planted in the ground in partial shade. From pests and diseases, the earth must be watered with a weak solution of potassium permanganate. The bush grows until next spring, and then it is already transplanted to a permanent place.

By dividing the bush

This is the most fast way reproduction, which allows you to quickly get from one plant several flowering bushes. Although the aster grows in one place up to 5-6 years, gardeners begin to divide them earlier, without waiting for this time - the bushes grow strongly, lose their attractive appearance.

A tall aster is planted at a distance of 90 cm from each other. Undersized - at a distance of up to 50 cm.

Hive division rule:

• dig the whole bush and carefully pull it out of the ground, shake off excess soil from the bush;
• cut the bush into pieces with a shovel or knife, each cut piece should have at least 5 strong shoots;
• then it is necessary to make holes in advance: add the missing mineral and potash fertilizers to the soil and pour some water into the hole;
• then carefully lower the plant to the bottom of the hole, sprinkling it with earth, and then slightly compacting the soil; sprinkle with sawdust on top so that it does not dry out quickly upper layer land;
• water the plant with water heated in the sun.

For late varieties, the division of the bush begins in early spring, when strong shoots appear. For the summer before winter period they will root well. If divided in the fall, the root system will not have time to take root. The plant may freeze. Autumn transplantation of bushes is also possible.

Pests and diseases

The most common diseases of perennial asters are gray rot and powdery mildew.

Reasons for this:

• cloudy rainy weather;
• lack of proper care;
• the location of the plant in the shade or lowland.

Fusarium is an incurable disease for asters. If the plant is sick with this disease, it is destroyed outside the garden.

You can get rid of aphids and onion bugs by dissolving the Iskra tablet in a bucket of water and spraying the diseased bush with this solution. As a preventive measure against diseases, a soapy solution is used to spray the affected plants. A diseased plant should be treated immediately after the symptoms of the disease are detected.

Species and varieties

This perennial never ceases to amaze with its variety of species and varieties. Each variety, species has its own characteristics:

• different flowering time;
• different height of the bush;
• individual color and flower shape.

Garden asters are distinguished by the height of the bushes:

• undersized perennial asters - up to 35 cm;
• tall varieties of asters reach one and a half meters.

According to the timing of the beginning of flowering, asters are divided into groups:

• an early variety of asters begins to bloom in early May and ends in June;
• summer species bloom from July to August;
• autumn, late varieties of asters, bloom from September to October.

Consider the most popular types of flowers.

low growing alpine aster. The most common plant, stretches up to 30 cm in height. It is an early variety. Thanks to its bright colors, it finds a place for paths and decorates the edges of flower beds.

Italian shrub aster. Summer flower resembling a chamomile. It grows up to 60 cm. Planted with bushes along the hedge.

New Belgian tall aster. Blue, burgundy flowers remain open in the evening and overcast days. Used as a living fence.

groundcover heather aster. This plant decorates parks and gardens. It grows in southern and eastern North America.

With their elegant variety of flowers, perennials delight until the very frost. Asters paint autumn landscapes in all the colors of the rainbow. They will decorate any flower bed, lawn and garden plot with their unique colors. Planting a perennial aster and caring for it is not as difficult as it seems at first glance.

The description of the methods and problems given in this article will help you not to make mistakes when growing and propagating this beautiful flower.

What could be more beautiful than flowers in your garden? They give us so many positive emotions, but it's a pity to part with them with the advent of the gray days of autumn. So, this is not necessary, because there are flowers that will delight the eye until frost. Yes, not all plants can surprise with such qualities. Especially in our country with its harsh climate, but perennial asters go against natural cycles and make us happier both in summer and late autumn. And today we will tell you about the most the best varieties for your garden, which will become its highlight.

Queen of the autumn garden - aster

Just imagine that there are currently more than 600 species of asters. They include a huge variety of varieties that amaze with their beauty even the most fastidious landscape designer. Asters are unusual in that their inflorescences are all different, you can often confuse bushes with chrysanthemums, peonies, but there is one more unique feature- shades, among which there is a variety of blue. It is quite rare among flowers of all kinds.

Asters are unpretentious, beautiful, accessible to everyone, can be grown both with and without seedlings in all regions of our country. big country. What else is needed? Yes, only a little better to understand the varieties, because it is difficult for a beginner not to get confused in such an assortment. In this we will help you, of course, we cannot describe all 600 species, but we will tell you about those varieties that gardeners most often plant - the best and most beautiful. And as you could understand, today we will talk mainly about perennial asters.

Flower variety

Asters flowers are unique, because there are so many of them - tall, short, perennial, annual. In turn, the latter are divided into three main classes, which were formed according to their decorative effect and structure - reed, tubular, transitional. These three classes are divided into 10 more according to the type of flower, its shape. Each group has its own varieties that can surprise the most fastidious gardeners, take a look at the photo - this is a pompom aster. The charm of these balls is amazing, while they can also have different shades, but these are the same age. And today we are talking about perennial species, and we will consider them further.

Pompom inflorescences. The perfect bouquet

Perennial asters and their different flowering periods

With the onset of spring, every gardener is waiting for his favorite flowers to bloom, but not all plants delight the whole season. Some decorate with their appearance only in April and May, others only in the first half of summer, others will please in the fall. But perennial asters are perfect in every way - their varieties are so diverse that your flower beds will be charming from May to October and even more. All because there are early flowers, there are summer and autumn ones. The first bloom in May and delight until June, the second throughout the second and third decade of summer, the third bloom in autumn. Each group has its own species, they, in turn, varieties.

For information! Asters differ not only in terms of flowering and height, but also in the structure of flowers - pink, peony, chrysanthemum. There are also differences in shape - asters are needle-shaped, spherical and radiant.

early alpine aster

The most commonly used and widespread type. These flowers have a small growth - up to 30 cm, which makes them ideal for creating compositions, planting along paths, decorating rock gardens, flower beds. Do you know why the species is so beloved by gardeners? Because asters are beautiful and very unpretentious - any beginner can create the perfect garden.

Bushes bloom in different shades and they delight us from May to June. And, of course, we will name the most popular varieties of asters of this species. See photos and names below. Inflorescences of this species are most often up to 5-6 cm in diameter, single type. Asters are not afraid of frost, they tolerate even harsh winters in our country, they love higher areas and the sun.

Alpine aster varieties:

• "Alba". It blooms with delicate white inflorescences and a yellow center, has a dense green mass. The shape of the leaves is elongated, it can grow up to 30-40 cm. The bushes grow stuffed. If you look at the photo, you can see the similarity of this aster with chamomile;

  Variety "Alba"

• "Gloria". These flowers are similar to the previous ones in form, but just look at this azure hue of the petals, which are diluted with a rich yellow-orange center. Flowers up to 4 cm in diameter. Perfectly combined in a flower bed with the Alba variety. Bushes can be planted alternately or in stripes;

  Heavenly Gloria

• "Dunkle Schone". Great for color combinations and natural stones, rock garden decorations. The flowers have a pleasant blue- purple hue, they are stuffed. The variety is very unpretentious, does not freeze, is not afraid of return May frosts, undemanding to soils. Flowers in diameter about 3 cm;
• "Rosea". This variety blooms in the first summer month, but its beauty is that it will delight with its flowering for three whole months. Tubular petals have a rich pink color, up to 5 cm in diameter. They go well with blue and white asters;

  Variety "Rosea"

• "Goliath". This variety has an amazing delicate color - lavender. It is also often used to decorate rockeries, alpine slides, paths in the garden. Loves the sun and partial shade, flowers in diameter - 3-5 cm.

Early Anderson aster

Blooms and delights us in spring and early summer. This species is quite small, one might say, ground cover, loves well-ventilated soils, moderately moist soil and sunlight. The bushes are notable for the fact that they have a purple hue of the petals. Very delicate and beautiful inflorescences that resemble a delicate purple chamomile with a yellow-orange middle. The diameter is only 2 cm, and the height of the entire bush is not more than 5 cm.

Astra "Anderson"

Early himalayan aster

These bushes grow compactly - up to 25-30 cm tall. How can you understand that the native places of these flowers are the most high mountains in the world. It is very often found in Asian countries, both near houses and at an altitude of more than 4 thousand meters. The flowers have a delicate purple hue, they are medium-sized - up to 3 cm. In the wild, it does not grow more than 15 cm, they please with flowering in May.

"Himalayan"

Summer Italian asters

As you understand, now we have moved on to the next flowers that will delight with their flowering from July to August. This species is taller than the early raster and can grow up to 60-70 cm. Most often, such tall flowers are planted along fences, they can be used to cover unsightly outbuildings. It is also important to plant such bushes next to the supports and where there is no strong winds in bad weather. Can be planted in rows or individually.

Inflorescences on average up to 4-5 cm in diameter, collected in shields. Colors are more often closer to blue-blue shades and lilac, there may be flowers of pink tone. The shape of the bush itself is spherical. This species is divided in early April to propagate, favorite soils are alkaline. They bloom best where there is a lot of sun.

It is interesting! This type of asters was bred in Europe. There are drawings depicting Italian asters that date back to 1596.

Italian aster varieties:

"King George" - one of the varieties of Italian aster

Separately, we would like to tell you that tall varieties are good to combine with short ones. You can also plant a number of perennials and annuals, the overall picture will be beautiful, and next year you can change annual asters for new varieties or new flowers, in general. So, the flower bed will be new every year. Magnificent varieties of annual asters are the Milady aster, she is in the photo, Scarlet, Crimson, Krestella, Erfurt Dwarf.

Pink "Milady"

The homeland of her country is Asia, where the flower began to be planted in gardens around 1686. bushes have round shape, they are quite high - up to 80 cm, again, tall species are best planted near fences in a quiet place. They are very thermophilic and cannot tolerate excess moisture. Flowers are collected in beautiful baskets-umbrellas, have a delicate lavender color closer to heaven. Diameter - 2 cm, blooms by the end of summer. It grows very well in soil rich in humus and letting in a lot of air. On such land, bushes bloom profusely and for a long time.

Stonecrop species

Bessarabian summer aster

This species is not independent, but a variety of Italian. The characteristics are quite similar, but the flowers on the bushes have a larger diameter. Inside, the inflorescence is not yellow or orange, but brown. It can be purple, pink and white. The bushes are quite powerful, as well as their root system. Height can reach up to 75 cm.

Bessarabian aster

blue summer aster

Her homeland is also the Himalayas. Quite tall plants - up to 120 cm, they can definitely hide all the shortcomings of the site. The flowers are sky blue, the bushes are powerful, the roots creep to the sides. The soil loves fertile, it should be sunny on the site, it is not afraid of cold weather. Shares a bush, blooms for the first two summer months, quite unpretentious appearance.

Blue inflorescences of perennial aster

Aster autumn perennial New England

All autumn species are popular, because their charm is that they delight us when other flowers are already fading. They are unpretentious, there are many varieties, it is easy to plant them. Bushes may be different heights, the colors are pink asters, and purple, and blue, and white, and purple. All of which are of different shapes.

We start with the New England view. These bushes for those who love tall plants are hard to imagine for a beginner, but asters can be taller than a person - up to 2 meters. Of course, with such bushes, you need to plan in advance what and where will be planted. They should be either separate, or along the walls, or in the background of the flower bed. Flowers are located in racemes in large numbers, and the diameter of one inflorescence is up to 4 cm.

These asters will please with their flowering by the first decade of September. You can combine them with others perennial species, it is possible and with one-year-olds. For example, with asters of pompom species, an excellent variety "Princess Mix" - it is in the photo below. These are annuals that always luxuriously decorate the garden. There are also popular varieties of annual flowers - these are "Ostrich Feather", "Princess Bouquet", "Victoria", "Giant", "Duchess", "American Beauty". All these asters are worthy of your attention.

"Princess mix" - annual
"American Beauty"

Varieties of the New England aster:

Variety "Browmann"

New Belgian autumn varieties

An interesting view, where there can be bushes both low - up to 40 cm, and high - 150 cm tall. Flowers are in panicles. These asters are very beautiful, because when they bloom, the greenery and stems are not even visible. The latter, by the way, become woody over time. The beauty of these asters is that they bloom in bad weather, in the evening, in fog and on rainy days. They can be burgundy, blue, lilac and white. at the expense abundant flowering you can plant this species even in the center of the flower bed.

Varieties of the New Belgian aster:

• "Amethyst". This variety is often compared with daisies, they have a dark shade of lilac. The branches are located next to each other, abundantly covered with flowers, but the bushes can not be tied up. Height - up to 130 cm. Large flowers - up to 4 cm;

  "Amethyst"

• Marie Ballard. Like the previous variety, it is very popular. It can also do without support, it is not afraid of frost. It has a magnificent lavender color of the petals, while the inflorescences are huge - up to 8 cm in diameter. They begin to bloom at the end of August, and flowering continues for 60 days. Named after the person who created it. Height - up to a meter;

  "Marie Ballard"

• "White Lady". The beauty of this perennial aster is that it is the most frost-resistant. Has a beautiful White color, yellow center. Unpretentious and does not require special care. Flowers - 3-5 cm;

  "White Lady"

• "Sunset". Just look at it, these bushes are really like the pink shades of the sunset strip over the horizon. Their diameter is up to 4 cm; foliage is not visible during flowering. Hue - pink, the variety begins to bloom from September to November.

"Sunset"

Astra shrub perennial

This aster completes today's selection of flowers for your garden. Usually the bushes are low - up to half a meter high. They bloom from the first days of autumn until the very cold. Most often, flowers have a light, delicate color - pink, heavenly, white, purple, but can also be burgundy and yellow. Bushes can be formed. To make asters bloom better, they are rejuvenated by dividing the bush every 3-4 years.

Varieties of shrub asters:



The combination of asters and stones looks great on the site

This is the flower variety we have described to you today. You can plant both perennials and annuals. Only for the first, choose the right places right away.

One of the first places among flowering plants in terms of the variety of shapes and shades of flowers is occupied by perennial asters. Breeders have bred many varieties of these beautiful representatives of the flora. They decorate gardens, parks, country and city flower beds. Landscape designers often use them in their projects, both in multi-colored and monochrome compositions. You can see the photo, which shows some samples of their work, as well as read the description of different varieties of asters.

The main morphological features of the aster

Astra is one of best plants, which are suitable for growing in cold climates, where there are few warm days, and the sun warms the earth sparingly. Perennial asters are not afraid of frost and sharp temperature fluctuations. They have gained immense popularity among gardeners for their unpretentious care, resistance to diseases and pests, and ease of propagation. Their main characteristic features include the following indicators:

Attention! Astra is cultivated as a perennial, biennial and annual. Before planting a plant, make sure you are planting the exact species you need. These plants differ in the technology of caring for them, reproduction and planting.

Only perennial asters: names and descriptions of different varieties

Perennial plants are divided according to the timing of flowering: there are early, medium ripening and late. All varieties differ in the color of the petals, their shape and height of the bush. Early asters, which begin to bloom at the end of May, include the following species:

• aster alpine - a small bush (up to 25 cm high) is often planted to decorate alpine hills, it is frost-resistant, unpretentious in care, depending on the varieties, the flowers can have different colors, it is popular with gardeners;

Alpine

• aster Albus - the height of the bush is about 30 cm, the stems of the plant grow up to 20 cm long, thickened with foliage, the flowers are white, the edging of the core with petals is two-row;
• aster Happy End - a low bush, only 25 centimeters, the stems are erect and strong, the petals are painted in a delicate pink tone, blooms for more than a month.

Mid-early varieties ripen and begin to bloom in July:

• Italian aster (chamomile) - grows up to 60 cm, medium terry, flowers have several rows of petals that almost cover the core, the colors of the petals are very different: lilac, pink, purple;

Italian

• aster Frikarta - shrub of medium height (75 cm), blue petals are arranged around a yellow core, flowers look delicate and fragile, bloom alternately;
• stonecrop aster - in the process of growth, the bush forms into a spherical shape, up to 50 cm in diameter, the petals are lilac-blue, not large, loves light areas very much, is not afraid of drought and powdery mildew.

The turn for flowering of late varieties begins in September:

• aster shrub - the stems of the plant are thin, the basal areas are more dense and rigid, the flower petals are painted in purple tones, flowering begins in August, and can continue until the first frost;
• heather aster - a compact bush up to 1 m high, white flowers, very small, their tubular core differs sharply from the color of the petals (sometimes yellow, burgundy, brown), which gives the plant a piquant look;
• New England aster is a powerful bush, with strong and thick stems, their height reaches 1 m, the flowers are large, double, the main shades of the petals are lilac;

New England

• aster new Belgian - very tall bush, can grow up to 1.4 meters, some stems are strongly leafy, others are almost naked, the predominant color of the petals is lilac or purple, sometimes pink and red flowers are found;
• aster Marie Ballard - a variety with blue, semi-double flowers;
• aster splayed (white forest aster) - a 60-centimeter bush, shoots are similar to a vine, pale pink petals frame a yellow core, which subsequently acquires a bright purple hue, the shape of the bush is lush and sprawling.

Advice. Any aster will look advantageous in multi-tiered flower beds, if you choose a suitable place for it, most importantly, do not forget about the height of the bushes, you can not plant low bushes behind tall giants.

Astra - favorite flower

Why do gardeners love this flower so much? The answers lie on the surface: the aster is not capricious in care, it grows on almost any soil and in different climatic zones. She is good in gardens and parks, in flower beds and borders, on Alpine rollercoaster and at water bodies. It makes beautiful bouquets and landscape compositions.

One of the advantages of asters is its late flowering. Flower lovers can enjoy their view until late autumn. More than 200 species and varieties of this plant are already blooming in gardens around the world, and the popularity of the flower is growing every year.

Perennial unpretentious asters: video