The perennial perennial, which is often used as a mass bloomer, reaches a height of between 25cm and 200cm, depending on the variety. The plant produces flowers in different colors, for example in white, lavender, pink, red or purple. Originally native to Canada and North America, autumn asters are a little more demanding when it comes to care than the summer variant. Once properly planted and then optimally cared for, hobby gardeners can enjoy the decorative flowers until the first heavy frosts in winter.
Table of Contents
Herbstastern – varieties
All aster varieties that can be assigned to the autumn variant are characterized by their very rich flowering, which also makes the plant valuable as an insect food plant and bee pasture. The following varieties are mainly cultivated in domestic gardens:
- Pillow aster
- Myrtenaster
- Robbery truck
- Glattblattaster
- Wild aster
Probably the most important variety is the smooth leaf aster, which, depending on the variety, develops pink or blue flowers that are open around the clock. The perennial grows loosely in clumps and reaches a total height of up to 140cm. Due to its size, a perennial support should also be attached on which the plant can lean. Alternatively, a simple garden fence is also suitable. Basically, the plant is a bit more demanding and sensitive than, for example, the Raubledaster, which is visually very similar to the variant with the smooth leaves. However, the leaves of this variety are hairy. The flowers of the Raublattaster, which have a rich color spectrum (red, pink, blue, purple, white) close both in the evening hours and in bad weather. Both varieties are suitable as background plants for beds and borders and on fences and within a cottage garden. In addition, the myrtle aster is particularly eye-catching, with particularly small flowers of purple or white color; however, these emerge in large quantities, so that the plant as a whole has a good effect from a distance.
This variety is particularly suitable as a cut flower for mixed autumn bouquets. In the rock garden, on the other hand, pillow asters are particularly decorative. The perennial, which only grows up to 50cm high depending on the variety, presents flowers in the colors pink, red, purple, blue and white. If especially dark areas in the garden are to be embellished, hobby gardeners like to use the wild aster, which is particularly suitable for areas in partial shade, for example under trees, and has a particularly decorative effect with its very filigree flowers.
Location and soil conditions
Autumn asters need an individually suitable location in order to be able to develop their full bloom. Most varieties will thrive in a sunny area of the garden. However, a corner should be chosen that is not affected by the blazing midday sun; Such intense solar radiation is not tolerated by the sun-loving autumn asters. There is then a slight risk that the plant will only develop a few flowers, which will also quickly disappear again. Varieties that normally prefer a sunny location also thrive in partial shade if necessary; however, in this case less flowering must be expected. In addition, some varieties mainly thrive in partial shade. These include, for example, the wild aster, the blue aster and the white forest aster. Whether in partial shade or in sunny locations – all in all, autumn asters are ideal as plants on perennial borders with autumn and summer aspects. Here the plant should best be planted in partnership with other autumn bloomers and grasses. The combination with lamp cleaner grass, Chinese reed, riding grass and switchgrass is particularly decorative. The colorful autumn aster also looks decorative in combination with flowering perennials such as spherical thistle and coneflower.
The substrate that is used when planting autumn asters should have the following properties:
- loose consistency
- rich in nutrients
- permeable
- fresh to moist
- rich in humus
Optimal care
So that autumn asters can develop well, the plants should be optimally cared for. This maintenance begins with the irrigation; So that sufficient flowers can develop in September or October, it is important to ensure sufficient water supply, especially on hot summer days. The best time for watering is the early morning or late evening hours. Even if the asters need a lot of water, especially during prolonged dry periods, they should not be watered continuously, drop by drop, but in larger quantities in a single portion. This will reduce the risk of powdery mildew infestation. However, it must be ensured that no waterlogging occurs. In addition, it should be poured from below and the water should be entered directly into the earth.
As an additional care measure and to stimulate the formation of flowers, the dispensing of a fertilizer has also proven itself. A complete fertilizer or organic fertilizer that is used once a year is best. Spring is well suited for fertilization.
After flowering, pruning has proven itself. For this purpose, mainly the parts of the plant that are in the upper third of the plant are shortened. This measure prevents excessive self-sowing. In late autumn, the entire plant can also be cut back.
Regularly dividing the autumn asters has also proven to be particularly helpful in order to encourage particularly vigorous flower formation. This division is best done every three or four years. The divided plants are then replanted at a different location.
The type of overwintering depends on the variety of the autumn asters. Hardy asters should be given additional protection in order to get through the winter well. Spreading a light layer of compost is sufficient in most cases. Annual or winter-hardy varieties do not overwinter, but the flowering phase can be extended significantly through a suitable location and additional winter protection. For example, the asters should be in a sheltered area in the garden, for example on a house wall, if flowering is desired into winter. It has also proven to be useful to add fleece or jute.
Propagation and Planting Methods
The propagation of the autumn asters can be done with the help of different methods:
- by sowing
- by division
- with the help of cuttings
When propagating by cuttings, shoots about 10 cm long are cut off from the mother plant, which, after removing the lower leaves, are placed in a flower pot with potting soil. A mixture of sand and earth is best suited as a substrate. A high level of humidity should be ensured for improved cultivation.
When the home garden is immersed in a colorful sea of flowers in late summer and autumn, autumn asters are usually responsible for this splendor. The perennial perennial, which is often used as a mass bloomer, reaches a height of between 25cm and 200cm, depending on the variety. The plant produces flowers in different colors, for example in white, lavender, pink, red or purple. Originally native to Canada and North America, autumn asters are a little more demanding when it comes to care than the summer variant. Once properly planted and then optimally cared for, hobby gardeners can enjoy the decorative flowers until the first heavy frosts in winter.
Often, autumn asters are also multiplied by simply dividing them. This method is particularly advantageous because the plant should be divided and then replanted every four years. The best time to split is in spring. The clumps are removed and divided at the root. This works particularly well with a knife.Of course, simple sowing is also possible. The seeds germinate at temperatures between 18 and 21 ° C and usually takes two to three weeks. It is good practice to prefer the seeds indoors, or better still in the greenhouse. However, direct sowing outdoors is also possible from early spring.
Finished plants are available all year round as container plants. Cultivation is therefore practically possible at any time. However, spring is a particularly good planting time, as the young plant then has enough time until the cold season to develop a strong root system. The planting is possible both individually and within a group. Then up to five specimens can be placed in the ground. No more than four autumn asters should be planted on one square meter of usable space; A total distance of 60 to 80cm must be maintained between the individual specimens so that the asters can develop properly.
Autumn asters can also be planted in a tub. The smooth-leaf and rough-leaf lattices are particularly suitable for this. The myrtle aster, which forms numerous small flowers, also looks very decorative in a tub.
Diseases and pests
Often diseases occur in the autumn asters due to care errors. Powdery mildew is particularly likely to affect this genus of plants. This fungal disease occurs more frequently when the leaves of the plant are permanently moist. This persistent moistening results from incorrect pouring behavior. The following symptoms are typical symptoms:
- white or gray spots on the leaves
- later floury-white coating on leaves, shoots, buds
- Flowers do not open
- Plant cares overall
- dirty brown discoloration of the surface
As a preventive measure, optimal pouring behavior can be ensured. In addition, it has proven useful not to plant the individual specimens too closely and to choose more resistant varieties. In the event of strong temperature fluctuations or high-pressure weather, additional plant strengtheners should also be given out. In this context, garlic broths and extracts from horsetail are particularly suitable. In the event of an infestation, infected parts, plant remains and fallen leaves should be removed early. If the infestation is particularly severe, it is usually necessary to use a special fungicide; Gentle preparations based on lecithin or environmentally friendly sulfur agents are particularly suitable.
In addition to powdery mildew, autumn asters tend to have what is known as aster wilt. This disease manifests itself primarily through drooping leaves; the elasticity cannot be restored even by increased pouring. At an advanced stage of the disease, the leaves gradually peel off. Since parts of the mushroom overwinter in the ground, a change of location is necessary to re-sow or replant autumn asters. Once infected soil may not be planted with asters for five to seven years. Plant strengtheners and the frequent repositioning of the asters have proven effective as a preventive measure. However, once the plant is infected, the plant must be removed along with the soil. However, it must not be disposed of on the compost.
Conclusion
Herbstastern belong in every green area where colorful accents are to be set well into winter. Easy to propagate, hobby gardeners can easily use the plants to create a decorative area of colored flowers; However, it should not be forgotten that optimal care ensures particularly rich flowering.
