Astra shrub planting and care. Perennial bush asters for spectacular garden decoration. Propagation by seedling

Aster shrub – a representative of a perennial plant species, these are real autumn beauties that can delight flower lovers with their colors with the onset of autumn cold weather and leaving blooming under the snow.

The distribution of the shrub species of aster in nature

The birthplace of a wonderful perennial is the American continent. The shape of the bush represents luxury ball, due to the strong branching of the stems. Tall bush within one meter. It is pubescent with tough dark green oval leaves with a serrated edge, hairy above and smooth below.

In nature, shrub aster is found in North and Central America. From this continent, it was brought to Russia, where it found wide distribution, decorating gardens and parks.

The most common varieties and types of perennial asters

Cultivated different kinds and varieties of aster shrub , in almost all regions of Russia, but real hostess she became in middle lane. Many of its varieties do not have time to bloom by winter cold Therefore, it is used as an ornamental plant.

Among the variety of varieties, the varieties with the earliest flowering differ:

• Alice Haslam (Alice Haslam), bush about 30 cm tall with small lilac flowers. Flowering period from the beginning of September to the last days of October;

• Blau Lagoon, a compact ball-shaped shrub with blue-violet inflorescences, no larger than 3 cm in size, blooming in last days August, pleases with its appearance until the last days of autumn. The height of the bush does not exceed 50 cm;

• Lady in Blue, low bush, no more than 40 cm tall, with blue small flowers. The variety is hybrid, highly resistant to diseases;

• Schneekissen, a low shrub up to 25 cm high, has the shape of a ball, strongly branching. It reaches about 60 cm in diameter. The flowering period of the plant is medium-late. More northern regions can't wait for the aster to bloom. flowering bush covered with small white inflorescences with a yellow center;

• Low-growing shrub aster variety "Jenny". Gives a lot of bright crimson-pink flowers with a yellow center. It is very popular in group landings on lawns, rocky areas and hills, suitable for cutting.

Astra shrubs make out borders, create in group plantings beautiful view lawns, rabatok, alpine hills.

Description (roots, stems, leaves, inflorescences)

Shrub aster, a perennial creeping plant, belongs to the aster family, similar to an annual species. For centuries of existence, approximately 200 varieties and species of perennial asters have been obtained in Russia.

The shrub aster belongs to a type of plant in which root system has the appearance of a short horizontally branched rhizome. It develops vertical suction shoots and replacement buds.

Like the short-rhizome plants found in nature, the aster is capable of strong tillering, so after 5-6 years it should be thinned out, removing young shoots.

The flowers of shrub asters are small terry or ordinary inflorescences, collected in baskets. They grow on the stem, depending on the variety, with panicles, umbrellas or shields.

The size of the inflorescences is determined by the variety and can vary in diameter from 1.5 cm to 8 cm.

The tubular part of the inflorescence usually has a yellow color, the reed part has a wide range of colors. Depending on the variety, their color can be white, pink, cream, lilac, red.

The shape of the leaves of shrub asters is an oblong oval with a jagged edge. Leaves grow very densely on a pubescent stem.

Features of breeding asters shrub species

The growing season of shrubby aster begins in spring. Sleeping buds wake up on the rhizome. At this time, perennial reproduction is recommended by dividing the bush.

The part of the rhizome prepared for planting is checked for the presence of weak, bare and sick-looking shoots.

Common diseases and pests of shrub asters

Almost all diseases cause great harm to the aster shrub culture. Delays in taking action can lead to the death of the entire plantation. Main diseases:

• Fusarium, fungal disease;
• The black leg fungus infects the plant, causing the stem to rot, followed by the death of the entire plant;
• Rust is a fungal disease carried by the wind;
• Jaundice - affects the plant with a virus carried by aphids and cicadas, while plant growth slows down;
• Brown spot - brown spots appear on an infected plant.

In addition to diseases, pests are a great danger for shrub asters. They not only destroy the plant, nibbling its stems, leaves, flowers. Pests are carriers of spores of viral and fungal diseases. Main pests:

• Farmed slug and snails;
• Moth butterfly caterpillars;
• Bed bugs;
• The spider mite is an invertebrate, translucent, almost invisible to the eye insect of the arachnid class.
• The day butterfly scoop-gamma eats the nectar of flowers, its caterpillars destroy the leaves and flowers of the aster.

To destroy pests and prevent plant diseases, they use antiviral and anti-infective agents, dig the soil deep and destroy weeds.

The use of decorative features of asters in landscaping

Flowering shrub asters, a wonderful material for garden decoration, creating flower arrangements and decorative fence of the yard, summer cottage, park, garden.

Varieties of medium-sized asters allow you to create borders, decorate ridges, lawns. Using thick green foliage asters in spring and lush bloom in the fall, you can easily hide the imperfections of the site.

Combining shrub asters with other late flowering garden plants (), you can revive the fading autumn season.

Low-growing varieties of shrubby asters are good as pot crops that will bloom in cool areas of the house.

There are many varieties ornamental plants, and today we will talk about one of the most unpretentious garden inhabitants. Aster shrub is a herbaceous annual or perennial that is rightfully loved by flower growers on all five continents.

Bushes, whose height varies from 20 to 100 cm, are covered with flowers different size and the shapes look very attractive!

Brief morphology

Astra bush is herbaceous plant living one year or more. Annuals belong to the genus Callistefus Chinese, and perennial flowers to the classical genus Asters.

Both have a fibrous root system and a similar leaf shape - oval serrated. flower baskets consist of inflorescences, where the marginal flowers are reed, and the median tubular, as a rule, yellow.

Asters are extremely diverse, there are a huge variety of their varieties, and today there are about a thousand hybrids.

Aesthetics for your garden

Bush aster is used to decorate discounts, borders, alpine slides. Due to the different flowering times and the ability to transfer the budding period even to June with the help of seedlings, asters can decorate the garden with themselves for several months. Especially considering the ability of these plants to bloom until November. Of course, in the middle lane such unpretentious, eye-pleasing bushes are at a premium.

Even if we are going to plant an aster in the conditions of the almost extreme north and we know for sure that it will not have time to bloom, since the buds will leave already under the first snow, it does not matter. Even unflowered bushes look very attractive and are often used as ornamental plants for flower beds. Good branching, many dark green serrated leaves make it a welcome guest in any garden.

And what can we say about the shrubby aster in bloom! Among the great variety of varieties - more than 400, you can easily choose those that fit into the landscape design of your particular flower garden.

Agrotechnics of bush aster

Location and watering

Herbaceous plants of the genera Callistefus and Astra prefer warm sunny clearings without drafts. A slight elevation to avoid stagnant moisture will be just right. The soil should be slightly dry, well drained and with an alkaline pH level.

We water the asters not often, but abundantly, using only warm water and trying not to get it on the leaves of the plant.

It is strongly not recommended to plant asters in the same place for several years - this leads to diseases. Perennial flowers need to be transplanted every 3 years for the same reason.

Landing

The unpretentiousness of these plants is legendary, however, today more and more professional gardeners are inclined to plant a bushy perennial aster immediately in open ground not worth it. It is better to grow it in seedlings in any way.

We already wrote about how to plant an aster in a snail and on ordinary seedlings, , so we won't dwell on it now. The main thing to remember is that at the time the seed planted in the seedlings will ensure the earlier flowering of the entire bush! Properly carried out processing of it and the soil will save you from diseases and pests.

Aster shrub, varieties

In order not to get confused huge number varieties of asters, experts offer species classification according to flowering time. Consider the most popular types of this herbaceous perennial.

Summer bush asters

Based on the name, it is clear that all varieties of such flowers are considered early due to the flowering time, since the late ones are autumn.

Bessarabian
A medium-high spherical bush reaches a height of 80 cm. Flowering continues from July to the end of August. At this time, the aster is covered entirely with small, up to 3 cm in diameter, blue flowers. purple hue.

Italian
Slightly lower than the previous one, up to 60 cm, but very similar to it. Flower baskets of similar color and size cover the bushes until the end of the summer months.

Alpine
This aster is rightfully considered the main decoration of alpine hills and rabatkas, due to the height of its miniature bushes - up to 20-25 cm. In the season, up to 50-60 flowers appear on each with a diameter of 2 to 3 cm, such a cover looks very elegant .

Well, if you want asters to decorate the flower bed with their flowers in the fall before the onset of cold weather, we advise you to pay attention to the following varieties.

Aster shrub
It is considered one of the most decoratively attractive varieties, even in non-flowering form, due to the dense dark green foliage and the spherical shape of the bush.

Aster blooms in early September and can please the eye until mid-October with flowers of various shades: from blue to white.

New Belgian

Even more diverse shades of paniculate inflorescences, among which there are burgundy and dark purple. It blooms by the end of September and is able to go under the snow "in full dress".

Bushes, depending on the variety type, can be quite small from 20 cm, and quite impressive up to 1 m. The diameter of the flowers also varies from small ones from 2 cm to larger 4 cm.

North American
Also known as the New England aster, this aster is one of the tallest late flowering varieties. Able to "keep color" until the first frost, it reaches a height of one and a half meters and is rightfully considered a real decoration. autumn garden.

Inflorescences are most often found in pink-red and purple hues.

As you can see, shrub aster is extremely diverse and very beautiful. garden plant, which in itself looks attractive, and even in compositions with other colors or elements landscape design he has no equal!

For spectacular decoration garden and landscape design of the site perennial bush plants are suitable for the most the best way. They grow quickly, forming an attractive background for large buds of other summers.

Can be used as a hedge or green sculpture.

Bush perennial aster has one unique decorative property- it can quickly and reliably cover the most unseemly corners in the garden.

The name of the plant "aster" from Latin means "star". They called her so because the shape of her flowers is associated with a star.

The flower is a perennial plant.

Aster shrub perennial belongs to the Asteraceae or Compositae family.

You can find a flower in Europe and Asia, North Africa and North America.

Its stems are straight, branched, reaching a height of up to 25-50 centimeters.

The inflorescences are in the form of baskets up to three centimeters in diameter. The flowers along the edges are reed-shaped and can be of a former, pink, blue or lilac hue, and in the middle - a tubular form of yellow. The color starts up from the beginning of autumn to the very frosts for 35-40 days.

Varieties of bush perennial asters and their photos

The species diversity is represented by annuals and perennials. Mostly bush aster varieties are used as a crop for perennial cultivation at one place. This reduces the time and labor costs for the landscaping process.

Varieties of bush perennial asters and their photos can be studied further on this page.

Among the varieties of bush asters are:

"Alba flor captivity". The plant grows up to 40 centimeters in length, with a diameter of three centimeters. The ligulate form of the flowers has a snow-white hue, and the tubular form is yellow.

"Blue Bird" Bushes up to 25 centimeters in height, 2.5 centimeters in diameter. Reed-shaped flowers of lilac-blue color.

"Blue Bouquet" The flower of this variety reaches 50 centimeters in length. The diameter of the flower is slightly larger than that of the Blue Bird variety. Reed-shaped flowers are lilac-blue.

"Venus" Plant up to 20 centimeters long. The flowers of the reed form are pink-lilac, and the tubular ones are yellow. Color lets out in September lasting up to 25-30 days.

"Dwarf Nancy" The plant is 25 centimeters tall. Reed-shaped flowers are lilac in color.

"Diana" The flower is up to 35 centimeters long, its diameter is 3 centimeters. Reed-shaped flowers have a pink tint.

"Lady Henry Maddock" Plant up to 50 centimeters in height. Reed-shaped flowers are pink in color.

"Lilek Time" Plant up to 30 centimeters long. Reed-shaped flowers have a light purple-bluish tint. Color lets out in September lasting 30-35 days.

"Niobe" The flower reaches 30 centimeters in length. Inflorescences of snow-white color.

"Spatrose" Plant up to 40 centimeters long. Flowers are dark pink.

Rules for caring for a bush perennial aster in the garden

It is advisable to plant asters in the soil in the spring. At the same time, they are advised to divide them, since they will release the color faster, namely in the same year.

If you plant a plant in the fall, then they may not have time to take root before the soil freezes and die.

Plants are recommended to be planted at a distance between each other of 20-40 centimeters so that young shoots that are underground are covered with soil with a layer of 2-3 centimeters. After planting, the flower should be watered immediately, especially in dry weather.

Exist certain rules caring for a bush aster in an open field garden, for example, a flower should be fed from the second year after it is planted. The length of the plant fertilizer is the entire growing season.

Every two to three years, after the cutting process, the plant should be mulched with peat and compost in a ratio of 1: 1. When caring for a bush perennial aster, it is also necessary to remove old and weak plants, as they are more susceptible to infection by various infections.

The flower can be propagated by seeds or vegetatively. The plant is propagated by seeds quite rarely, only if necessary, since germination is quickly lost.

Seeds should be sown immediately after they were collected before the start of winter in open ground, in extreme cases in the spring to a depth of one and a half centimeters.

Vegetative propagation is used more often. The division of the bush is recommended in early spring, when the flowers grow back. At the same time, weak stems are removed. You can, of course, propagate the plant without digging up the bush.

For example, to separate one or a couple of parts from a bush, which can then be divided into even smaller parts. One part of the bush should contain at least 3-5 new shoots.

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 another 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 large 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.

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 different shades and they delight us from May to June. And, of course, we will name the most popular varieties 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, love more high 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;
• "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;
• "Dunkle Schone". Great option for color combinations and natural stones, rock garden decorations. Flowers have a pleasant blue-violet 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;
• "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 having lilac shade 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.

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. wild nature does not grow more than 15 cm, delight with flowering in May.

Summer Italian asters

As you can see, we have now moved on to next colors 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 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:

• Violet Queen. It is considered a sought-after variety of this species, but it is not so easy to find. This is a beautiful purple aster, the diameter of the flower is about 4 cm;
• "Rudolf Goethe". Unusual name, but summer residents trust this summer variety, as it always blooms, even if the season was not the most favorable. Flowers have pale petals. purple, about 4 cm in diameter. You can buy seeds without problems;
• Rosea. This is a pink aster, there is also a tubular variety, where the shade of the flower can be beige colour. Very long flowering - from June to September. Flowers up to 3 cm in diameter.
  

  For information! The Italian aster has other varieties, but they are quite rare and difficult to buy Lady Hindlip, Veilchenkoenigin, Ultramarine, Mira, Gnom, Herman Lens, Henrich Seibert, Kobold , "Coerulea", "King George".

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

Summer stonecrop aster

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.

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. May be purple, pink and white shade. The bushes are quite powerful, as well as their root system. Height can reach up to 75 cm.

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 the first two summer months, rather unpretentious look.

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, 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 on background flower beds. Flowers are arranged 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.

Varieties of the New England aster:

• Bars Pink. Pink flowers carpet bushes of this variety. They winter well, can grow in the most unfavorable conditions, even along roads. They bloom in autumn, they are not afraid of light frosts;
• Brownmann. Tall purple bushes. Grow in moderately moist areas with fertile soil, unpretentious. Perfect for autumn colors.

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 dark shade 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;
• 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;
• "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;
• "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.

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:

• "Blue bird". Very compact bush - up to 25 cm. Excellent asters to decorate garden paths. The hue of flowers changes unusually - from delicate lilac to rich lilac tones;
• "Venus". Another low variety is up to 20 cm. You can decorate your veranda beautifully by planting a variety in pots and hanging planters. Asters bloom for a month - from September, color - blue, pink;
• Royal Ruby. Luxurious purple asters. Great for bouquets, for pots and for decorating rock gardens. Blooms from September until cold weather;
• "Dwarf Nancy". It grows up to 25-30 cm, the flowers have a lilac hue. Very beautiful asters, will delight you around the borders, perfect for composition.

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

Perennial shrub asters: common species, planting, proper care, reproduction

Shrub aster (Asteraceae, Symphyotrichum dumosum) is a cold-resistant crop. It blooms profusely, from July until frost, until the temperature drops below -3 ° C. Grown in borders, isolated or in groups. Unpretentious. It gets along well with other types of flowers.

Description of shrub aster, variety selection

The first thing that attention is paid to when choosing a plant is the decorativeness of the bush. But Aster is an autumn plant that blooms with the advent of coolness. In order for the aster to bloom longer and the seeds have time to ripen, you need to choose the right varieties that are suitable for the region in which you live.

Source: Depositphotos

Shrub aster goes under the snow of a profusely flowering

Symphyotrichum dumosum is a group of perennial rhizomatous herbs. Height from 15 cm to 2 m. The stems are branching, so the bush has a spherical shape. The leaves are oval, toothed, dark green. Buds are formed at the tops of the branches. The diameter of a blossoming flower, depending on the variety, varies from 2 to 10 cm. The variety of colors is very large.

AT Northwest region The following varieties are recommended for landscaping:

• deep pink Alise Haslam;
• blue Blue Bouquet;
• blue or bright blue Lady in Blue;
• floral pink Rosa Sieger;
• purple Herbstschnee;
• pink-purple Andenken;
• purple Aster tataricus.

AT Central region, except for those listed, bloom for a long time:

• heather pink Lovely;
• highly decorative small-colored Purple Star;
• New England dark purple Barrs Blue and pink Barrs Pink;
• New Belgian Rosa Perle;
• terry light purple Patricia Ballard;
• lavender blue Frikata.

In mid-latitudes, miniature early Helen Beauty, Rosea and Goliath grow well. Of the giants, Andenken an Alma Poetschke and Purple Dome are more suitable.

Planting shrub asters and caring for them

For plants, open lighted areas are best suited. The soil should be nutritious, not heavy, close in structure to sandy loam. Minimum depth fertile layer - 35 cm. Wet soils are excluded. Sour must be lime, sprinkling dolomite flour at the time of laying flower beds. In addition, ash is added 2–3 times a season.

Sow the seeds in the fall, before the onset of frost, but it is advisable to divide the bushes in the spring so that young plants have enough time to take root.

Astra shrub requires regular rejuvenation by cuttings or division. Plant old bushes in the 4th year. At the same time, choose a new place each time.

Abundant flowering is possible only with regular watering and mulching. The first fertilization of the soil is carried out immediately before planting sprouts. For this purpose, choose complex top dressing. When setting aster buds, feed with phosphorus-containing preparations. The next fertilization is carried out in the spring.

To give the bush a more rounded shape, periodically cut off the branches.

Perennial asters are appropriate everywhere. They can be used in rose gardens, Alpine rollercoaster, in gravel gardens. These flowers are combined with violets, geraniums, spikelets, stonecrop and other crops.