Asters are hardy perennials that bloom in fall in diverse coloring and altitudes. They provide color for us and a late-season source of pollen for bees and other pollinators.
The many have of New England in the fall includes purple asters and yellow goldenrod. Though we may take these for granted, the English language and Europeans have not. Actually they collected asters extensively earlier in this century and took them home to breed many new selections.
Several of these options are back in the us now, along with many other recent cultivars (cultivated varieties) by American stating. These generally range in bloom time from early on September to late March, with a particular types or cultivar usually blossoming for two or 3 weeks.
The main types of asters are the New york city (Aster novi-belgii) and the newest England (Aster novae-angliae). The modern York ones generally tend to be not as long (a foot or so) than the newest England ones (three feet or more). Both come in
a range of colors from red to purple, blue to white, and provide a pleasant complement to the colors of fall moms.
Other cultivars have recently been developed from the other species. When almost all of they are short, some such as heath asters (ericoides) may reach two feet and become covered with hundreds of tiny white flowers. Calico aster (lateriflorus horizontalis), named from the appearance of its many tiny pink and white flowers, is a types reaching one to two feet. Unlike most asters, stems of this kinds are arranged in lateral layers giving rise to another common name, side to side aster. This one may also be found growing outrageous locally, or as a cultivar with dark leaves called Lady in African american.
Very popular are the Frikart's asters, given its name the Swiss nurseryman who developed them in the 1920's. These hybrids are somewhat hardy (to USDA sector 5) in some regions of our region or need some winter protection.
Magenta Dome is one of the more recent opening paragraphs, and is an advantages out of this country of our New England asters. That is covered with magenta flowers through a long period in the fall season, and unlike many in this species only gets two feet tall or less.
Treat asters as you would other perennials. Plant in good loamy soil as most avoid like wet feet or may get frost-heaved and dry out in soft sand soils. Plant at least one foot apart for the shorter cultivars, 3 feet apart for the taller ones. Some light fertilizer such as one-fourth to one-half cup of an organic and natural fertilizer early on in the season will assist. Some of the extra tall New England asters may need staking. Alternatively, lower them back by one third in early summer season to advertise shorter, bushy expansion.
Since most are cultivated and bought from containers, they can be grown at any time during the season. If plants require moving or dividing, do it in May as the new shoots emerge. In the event that growing well, asters might need division every two to three years.
The main plant disease is powder-like mildew--a whitish growth that may appear on leaves from late June or July onwards, mainly on the brand new York varieties. Exploration at the University of Vermont (UVM) and other institutions has shown that applying sprays beginning in late June, according to label directions for horticultural oils (as used for insects), will help prevent powdery mildew. Sprays carefully related to baking soda pop also can be used.
Sprays must be applied before diseases become proven and must be persisted throughout the season. Many of these diseases, although unsightly, often cause no lasting problems for the plants and differ in severity with regards to the weather and even the instruirse.
The primary destructive insect infestation within our area appears to be the lacebug, a tiny grayish insect pest that appears in midsummer and sucks the flower juices from the under sides of leaves, generally of the New York and related types. Leaves convert yellowish and eventually darkish and fall off. Organic and natural or synthetic insect solutions can be used for control. Read and follow all label directions for best control, and protection for you and environmental surroundings.
