New English aster (Aster novae-angliae) has been known in Europe since 1700. He is believed to have come from North America. It belongs to the Asteraceae family. This beautiful perennial works great in flowerbeds, but due to the drying out of the lower leaves, it looks best with shorter plants.
What does a New English aster look like
The plant has a compact habit. Raised, stiff shoots reach 100-200 cm in height. The stem in the upper part is highly branched. The leaves of the astra are lanceolate or even, with a full margin.The entire plant is covered with short hairs. Fluffy basket-like inflorescences grow at the tops of the shoots. The number of flowers on one bush can be as high as 150-200 pieces. The different colors of asters cover the entire color palette: pink, carmine, red, purple, blue, purple and yellow. The flowering period is long and covers the fall months until frost. Many varieties can withstand frosts down to -5oC. The flowers are sensitive to external factors and close in cloudy weather and after cutting.
New English Aster - the best position
New English aster feels best in sunny and sheltered positions. Planting asters in poorly lit areas will pull out the shoots and reduce the diameter of the flowers. Wetlands with a low level of groundwater are also unsuitable. The plant prefers fertile, neutral soil. A light, slightly moist, loose substrate with a drainage layer that prevents water stagnation is ideal.
New English aster: cultivation
This hardy species can be planted in spring or fall. New plants are best obtained from apical cuttings collected in spring, April and May. We plant the rooted plants permanently, spaced 60x60 cm apart. Aster is also reproduced by division in the spring in April and May. Dug out a mature, at least 3-year-old plant with a root ball and divide it into several parts. Each of them should have 2-3 shoots. The seedlings should be planted immediately in a permanent place.
New English Aster - care, watering, fertilization
Asters require abundant watering, even every 2-3 days. When they are too dry, they quickly lose leaves. Be careful, as excess moisture can cause the roots to rot and the plant to die. After watering, it is worth loosening the soil around the plants. It must not be forgotten that the root system of New England astra is quite shallow and easy to damage.
To keep the substrate moist, plants can be mulched with bark or mature compost. Compost is also an excellent fertilizer - by decomposing, it releases nutrients. In addition to organic fertilization, plants will also need a mineral fertilizer, e.g. a slow-acting multi-component fertilizer dedicated to flowering plants. To prolong flowering, remove wilted flowers on a regular basis. This treatment stimulates the plant to form new flower buds.
Wintering New English astra
After flowering, cut the asters shoots just above the ground and mulch the plants with a thick layer of leaves or mature compost. It is true that asters are frost-resistant and in our country they can winter without cover, but young plants may freeze in severe frosts.
