Aster bush (Symphyotrichum dumosus, Aster dumosus) is a perennial belonging to a separate genus Symphyotrichum, Easy to grow, compact and dense asters are perfect as borders. In the company of species with decorative leaves, e.g. ornamental sage, sedum or ornamental grasses, they also create colorful, colorful compositions.
Aster bush - what does it look like?
The bushy aster takes a dense, spherical shape due to densely arranged, raised shoots. Slightly woody shoots are covered with lanceolate, dark green leaves, with a slightly rough surface.The shrub, depending on the variety, can reach 50-90 cm in height. Basket-shaped inflorescences develop at the tops of the shoots, even sticking to the entire plant. Flower diameter ranges from 2 to 9 cm. The center is yellow and the petals can be yellow, white, pink, lilac or red. Flowers appear in August and last throughout September and October.
Bushy aster: position
Asters grow best in sunny and quiet positions. They prefer loose and well-drained soils, slightly moist, with a reaction close to the alkaline one. They do not have special nutritional requirements, so they can cope even in poorly fertile soils.
How to grow bush asters?
Asters can be multiplied in several ways, it is not difficult. Most often we propagate plants by division - from April to June and by apical shoots collected from April to May.
The seedlings should be planted permanently in the spring (III-V) or autumn (IX-XI).Depending on the variety, tall plants are planted at a distance of 80x80 cm, medium plants 50x50 cm, and dwarf plants at a distance of 20x20 cm. Proper spacing is important in the cultivation of astra. It is often infested with fungal diseases that develop in conditions of high humidity and excessive plant density.
Bushy aster - care, watering and fertilizing
Bushy asters prefer well-drained and slightly moist soils, but they cope well with a short-term lack of water. It is enough to water them no more than once a week. In rainy weather, we can limit watering to 2-3 times a month. Water scarcity manifests itself in the shedding of lower leaves. We avoid soaking the leaves so as not to expose the plants to fungal diseases.
We also cannot forget about fertilizing the asters. The optimal time for feeding the plants is when flower buds are established. Before they open, fertilize the asters with potassium sulphate, ammonium nitrate and superphosphate in the ratio 1: 2: 3.
The bushy aster can grow 2-3 years in one place, after which it begins to lose its attractive appearance. It should then be rejuvenated. For this purpose, gently dig out the entire clump between April and June) and divide it into several parts. Each should have at least 2 buds. The seedlings obtained in this way can be planted immediately in a permanent place.
Bushy aster - wintering
After flowering, cut the astra shoots close to the ground and sprinkle the plant with peat and compost. This species is hardy enough to withstand our winters. In regions with harsher winters, it is worth to additionally cover the plants with tunisz or a thick layer of dry leaves.
