Aster

Asters are beautiful perennials that are found wild in North America and southern Europe. The genus Aster includes some 600 species of widely distributed flowering plants in the family Asteraceae.

Asters are also called as Starworts, Michaelmas Daisies, or Frost Flowers. Asters are found chiefly in North America, with some species extending into South America; others are distributed throughout Europe and Asia. The word Aster is of Greek derivation and refers to the Starlike flowers that can be white, red, pink, purple, lavender and blue, mostly with yellow centers.

Growing Aster

Asters may be propagated by dividing or grown from seed sown indoors at about 70 degrees F or may be sown directly into the garden after all danger of frost has passed. Germination takes anywhere from 15 to 30 days, depending on the temperature.

• Asters should be planted in moist well-drained soil in full sun, but they will tolerate light shading.
• Plant Asters at least 18 inches apart so that plants do not form broad bushy clumps.
• Mature clumps should be divided every 3 - 4 years in the early spring, or late fall after the flowering has finished.
• Pinch back the tops by 6-8 inches at least once during the summer, to create a bushier plant and to prolong the fall bloom.
• Pinching must be done prior to mid July, or it will have an opposite effect, and blooming will be reduced.

Aster Plant Care

• By planting Asters in a sunny spot with good air circulation, powdery mildew can usually be avoided.
• Asters need regular watering at their roots.
• Many Aster varieties fail to survive the winter if kept too moist.
• Asters should be cut down after flowering to deter seeding. Even without seeding, Asters should be divided every three years to stay at their best.
• Disease in Asters can be controlled by dividing them yearly in spring.
• Pruning tends to delay flowering by only a few days but produces a much prettier plant.

Information provided by: theflowerexpert.com