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What is an Aster Plant?
The aster plant is a perennial wonder that blossoms in late summer when most flowers have already served their time. Aster flowers have vibrant hues that instantly grab attention and last well into fall. Aster plants grow outdoors in zones 3 to 8 USDA. Here are its characteristics that you should know.
What Does an Aster Symbolize?
Aster flower meaning has Greek roots. Aster got its name from its flowers shaped like stars, as aster translates to ‘star’ in Greek. Their delicate petals are elegance-personified. Asters are also culturally symbolic of many things.
Lore has it that these star-shaped delights were often burned during the old days to keep away serpents. With so much symbolism and lore on its back, the historic aster flower still captivates people. It is a pleasure to have in the gardens.
If you plan to beautify your garden with this plant (you definitely should), then explore this guide. We have compiled everything necessary about these beauties. Let’s dig a little deeper and get to know more about asters.
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Where, When, & How to Plant Aster
Asters thrive the best when exposed to full or partial sunlight. And they love moist soil that is well-drained and loamy. They prefer cooler temperatures, so partial sun exposure would be ideal if you live in a hot region. Aster is a versatile plant whose shorter varieties can thrive well on borders.
Mid or late spring is the prime time to plant aster after the frost season. If you purchase mature potted asters, you can plant them at the end of summer. The beautiful asters often bloom in late summer and fall. Ensure you plant young asters 1 to 4 feet apart, as they can grow quickly and aggressively. Keep a safe space of 3 feet while planting mature asters. Spacing them right will lead to their proper growth.
Planting & Propagating Aster
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Let us look at different ways to propagate or grow aster from a purchased plant. You can pick the most suitable from the four we have detailed below.
Propogate Aster from Seeds
Grow Aster Plant from Cuttings
Grow Aster from Purchased Plants
Care for Aster with These Tips
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Like many plants, even asters need caring. If you want to see asters blooming and thriving in your late-summer garden, then it’s essential to care for them properly. Dig into thesegardening tipsto get the perfect asters to create a dreamy and starry gardenscape.
Light, Soil, & Water Needs
Asters are big fans of the sun, without which they can easily flop. They bloom, thrive, and become the life of the garden when they’ve direct contact with sunlight for a minimum of six hours every day. Ensure they receive their daily dose of the sun to avoid untimely death. Some species can thrive in partially shady conditions, but their flowers will be fewer.
Wet soil can rot the aster roots, while the plant will wilt in dry soil. So, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.8 to 6.5), moist and loamy, is the perfect home for asters. Organic matter, like well-rotted manure or compost, makes the soil rich with nutrients, creating an ideal condition for aster plants to flourish.
As it needs moist soil, keep watering your aster regularly till the flowers reach full bloom. However, ensure that the water you give the soil doesn’t touch the leaves. If this happens, the plant is highly likely to catch mildew.
Temperature & Humidity
This starry, cool-looking flower loves cool temperatures. Its frost-hardy ability gives it the strength to survive for a short duration in frosty conditions. If you live in a hot region, ensure that you provide some shade to your aster. When it comes to humidity, aster has no particular preference. So you won’t have to worry about extra spritzing and all that drama.
Fertilizer Requirement
Asters are happy with moderate feeding. Providing them with a balanced flower fertilizer twice a month keeps them satiated. Ensure you start fertilizing in spring and stop as soon as the blooms open. Over-fertilization decreases their blooming period.
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Mulching
Mulching is ideal for overwintering. Once the asters stop blooming, water them regularly before the first freeze sets in. You can cut down the foliage when the frost is over. Come fall, add a thick layer of shredded bark mulch around so that it will cover the base of the plant. Ensure the mulch doesn’t gather near the stem, as it might rot the crown.
Trimming & Pruning it Right
Once the flowers start wilting and dying, simply pinch them off to make way for new growth and prevent self-seeding. Trim off dead stems or damaged foliage immediately. During the frost season, when there’s no foliage left, trim the stems to ground level. You can carry out this action in spring so birds like finches and chickadees can enjoy the aster seeds all through winter.
Potting & Repotting
If you have potted your asters using a compost mix to provide them sunlight outdoors, you must trim them and bring them inside. Don’t let these pots freeze outside. Once you get them indoors, water them regularly and ensure the soil is moist throughout winter. Come spring, you can repot them in a fresh compost mix and take them outdoors for the much-awaited bloom.
Blooming it Right
Ensure that your late-season aster gets all the care mentioned above and gets great flowers. Proper sun exposure, one inch of water every week, appropriate fertilizer needs, staking tall varieties, and pruning the new growth will all result in a thriving, blooming, and the most beautiful aster ever.
Pests and Problems
Types and Varieties of Aster Plants
With a multitude of types and varieties, aster is a plant that is much loved. Below, find the most common varieties and types of aster that have been sparking up people’s gardens into gorgeous ones.
New England Aster
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New York Aster
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Michaelmas Daisy
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Smooth Aster
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Calico Aster
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Aromatic Aster
Image credit:Elymus0913
China Aster
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It consists of cultivars with many hues like white, purple, pink, and blue. Among the varieties most familiar to home gardeners are the double-floweredMatsumotocultivar and theLilliput Blue Moon,known for its disc-like blooms.
Tatarian Aster
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Heath Aster
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Companion Plants
If you are a gardener who wants the most perfect garden in the whole wide world, you need to haveplants and flowersthat would complement theasterand create a cohesive whole. Here are the ones that would definitely be best friends with youraster.
Sedum
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The stunning sedum is a diverse genus ofsucculent plants. Commonly known as ‘Stonecrop,’ it has a lot of varieties and cultivars that love full sun and well-draining conditions. Not only is it aesthetically pleasing, but it also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Boltonia
Image credit:Eugene van der Pijll
This end-of-summer bloomer looks quite similar to aster. It loves moist or wet soil, and pollinators like bees and butterflies are attracted to it. It can grow pretty tall and provide a burst of white or pink hues in your garden.
Russian Sage
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This perennial is famous for its silvery-gray foliage featuring tall spikes of adorably tiny lavender-blue flowers. Their ethereal appearance can glam up any garden. They emit a lovely aroma and bloom the best when exposed to full sun and top-notch draining. Plant them close, and they can thrive with minimal maintenance. Their striking vertical element and wispy aura will pair perfectly with aster.
Anemone
Image credit:lewisginter
These late summer bloomers will make excellent companions of aster. Popularly known as ‘Japanese Windflowers,’ they have a lot of varieties with delicate blooms. They thrive the best when exposed to partial or complete shade and good drainage. Their delicate beauty and ability to attract pollinators like bees and butterflies make them a must-have with your aster plant.
The Alluring Aster: A Star-geous Bloom!
Planning to turn your garden into a home for the blooms? You should definitely check our guide for different beauties likedianthusanddelphiniumor even tending to yourbougainvillea vine!
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Aster FAQs
Do Asters Come Back Every Year?
Yes. Many asters are perennial plants, meaning they come back every year.
Where do Asters Grow Best?
Asters grow best when they have exposure to full sun.
Is Aster Poisonous to Dogs?
What Time of Year Do Asters Bloom?
Asters usually bloom at the end of summer to early fall. But, the time can vary a little based on the species of aster that you have in your garden and your local climate.
How Long do Asters Live?
The perennial asters can live up to 3 to 5 years of age. But this age can vary based on facts like the species of aster, its growth conditions, and the care it is provided.
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