How to plant and care for alpine aster

Alpine perennial aster: planting and caring for this plant (photo) begins with a brief introduction. It's helpful to know that this perennial plant can be herbaceous or subshrubby. In the wild, asters grow in the Caucasus, Europe, Asia, Transcarpathia, and the Southern Urals. But today, asters can be grown in your garden, regardless of region.

General information about the plant

On average, aster stems reach about 30 cm in height. They are sturdy and have leaves of varying shapes. In winter, the stems die back. Aster inflorescences are single basketsThey often reach 5 cm in diameter. Asters most often bloom in mid-June, but various methods can help prolong the blooming of these beautiful flowers.

Alpine aster is a perennial plant: planting and care are easy. To ensure beautiful and lush blooms, it requires a sunny location and alkaline soil (high potassium levels are recommended). Asters grow compactly and bloom profusely. The most convenient and quickest method of propagation is by seed.

The most common varieties are:

• Alba. The flower is three centimeters in diameter. The petals are ligulate, and the buds are usually white;
• Glory. The inflorescences are only 2.5 cm in diameter and bloom in bluish hues;
• Goliath. Expect large blooms and a pleasant purple hue;
• Dunkle Schene. The inflorescences often reach 4 cm. The petals are thin, and the bud color is a pleasant, rich purple;
• Rosea. As its name suggests, this aster produces pinkish flowers. The flowers are quite large for an aster, around 4 cm;
• Ruber. The plant will delight you with red buds 4 cm in diameter;

What is needed for planting?

Alpine aster perennial: planting and care (video), as mentioned above, is quite simple. But, for lush flowering, you will have to take care of some comfortable conditions:

1. Summer varieties can be grown in relative shade. As for late-fall-blooming asters, it's best to plant them in full sun;
2. If the plant does not receive enough light, powdery mildew may settle on it;
3. Fertile, well-dug soil is suitable. If the plant is planted in light soil, constant, supplemental moisture should be provided;
4. It is essential to fertilize the soil before planting;
5. Damp areas of land, as well as those that are frequently flooded, are not suitable for planting asters;

Care Features

Phosphate-based spring fertilizers and lime can be applied to the soil in winter. If the summer is dry, asters will need constant watering. This is especially true during the growth period when the first buds appear.

Advice! A characteristic sign that asters do not have enough moisture is the simultaneous yellowing of leaves and inflorescences.

It's recommended to replant asters every three years, although they can grow in the same location for up to seven years. However, after three years in the same location, the blooms won't be as lush as you're used to.

How to propagate asters

Alpine perennial aster: planting and care (photo) depends on proper propagation. This can be done by seed or vegetatively. Seeds often lose viability after collection, so not everyone chooses to propagate asters by seed.

If you choose seed propagation, you'll need to sow the seeds immediately after harvesting them in open ground and provide a greenhouse. If you can't plant the seeds in winter, do so in early spring. Pricking out is permitted when the first few leaves appear. Seedlings planted by seed will not flower until their second year of growth.

As for vegetative propagation, which involves dividing the bush, things are much simpler. You can divide the bush in the spring, when the asters begin to actively grow back after winter. Separate one section from the bush and plant it, root and all, in a new location. This method of propagation is suitable for early summer. Please note: Perennial flowers for the garden and vegetable garden: photos with names.

So, the alpine aster is a perennial: planting and care are clear and simple with photos. Asters can be safely planted in group lawns, rock gardens, and along borders. Special tall varieties are suitable for cutting.