Autumn asters , also known as marcinki, are probably the most popular flowers that can decorate garden beds, balconies and terraces during late autumn. At this time of year, the appearance of most plants inexorably reminds us that their time is almost over.Blooming asters in autumnare a great way to liven up floral compositions in the period when the colorful summer is long behind us.
Autumn asters - marcinki
Autumn asters - description
The flower baskets of the autumn astersare made of two kinds of flowers.The interior is filled with yellow-golden tubular flowers, which from the outside are surrounded by ligulate flowers, in colors ranging from white, through pink, red, to purple and blue. This blend of colors keeps the flower bed still vibrant and is a great decoration in your garden.
Most asters are perennials , although there are exceptions, such as the Chinese aster (Callistephus chinensis) which is an annual plant, available in many varieties with a wide range of colors and shapes flowers, suitable for flower beds and cut flowers.
In perennial asters , i.e. perennial, the stems may partially lignify at the base. The leaves of these plants are lanceolate, arranged in a curved shape on the stem. The underground part consists of a root stump and numerous underground shoots (so-called stolons), thanks to which the plant grows. The most interesting for us, however, are the flowers of these plants, which come in a variety of colors and shapes.
Due to the flowering time, asters are divided into spring asters (e.g.alpine aster), summer asters (e.g. a gawędka aster) andautumn astersThe latter are the most numerous group of asters and at the same time the most valuable, because they bloom at a time when we can no longer admire too many flowering plants .Beautiful flowers of autumn asters can decorate garden beds until NovemberThanks to this flowering season, they have become popular plants for decorating tombstones on All Saints' Day.
Autumn asters - species and varieties
Among autumn asters you can findboth small-flowered and large-flowered species. Of course, the latter, due to the decorative value of flowers, are much more popular.Flower baskets of large-flowered asterscan reach a diameter of up to 5 cm. The height of the plants varies depending on the species and variety, from 20 to 180 cm. We can find here plants for both low and fairly high beds, which bloom in a whole range of romantic shades of purple, pink and red.
Aster New English 'Herbstschnee'
Large-flowered species are already described in our encyclopedia of plants, so I only provide references to descriptions of these plants. Autumn large-flowered asters include:
- Bushy aster (Aster dumosus)
- Aster Novi-Belgii (Aster novi-belgii)
- aster novae-angliae
The lowest varieties of bush astraare suitable for borders and as cover plants. They also look good on moors among clumps of grass, e.g. blue fescue. Low asters are also suitable for rockeries and can be grown in containers, being an autumn decoration of balconies and terraces.
Higher autumn asterscan grow in the middle of the flowerbeds among other plants, and the tallest can form the background behind the flowerbeds. It is worth noting thatsome varieties of New England and New Zealand asterstend to shed their lower leaves, and it is worth planting plants among them that will cover the lower stems of the asters.Tall New England and New Zealand asters may also need to be ligated.
" The most popular autumn small-flowered astrais the heather-leaved aster (Aster ericoides), producing flower baskets only 1 cm in diameter and ranging in color from white to light purple. Stems of this species can reach a length of 50 to 100 cm. The attractiveness of this plant is determined by small leaves that cover the stems in large numbers, creating spectacular green cushions. "
Autumn asters - cultivation in the garden
Asters in the garden should be planted in sunny and airy places , on fertile, permeable soils, with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. New England, Neo-Belgian and bush asters require particularly fertile soil. Heather aster does better on poorer soils.
The distance between the plants that should be kept when planting newly bought specimens depends on the size they achieve. Tall asters are planted in80x80 cm spacing, medium-tall asters - in 50x50 cm spacing, and low asters in 20x20 cm spacing. Keeping these distances is quite important, because asters planted too densely are easily affected by powdery mildew. Unfortunately, this disease affects asters quite often. If you already have asters planted, be sure to thin them out, removing some shoots to maintain airflow between the plants.
If you already noticesymptoms of powdery mildew on asters(white-gray coating on leaves), cut infested plant shoots and remove from garden (preferably burned). It will be necessary to spray with fungicides. Spraying must be performed several times at intervals of 14 days. Unfortunately, spraying rarely brings the expected results, which is why it is so important to prevent the spread of powdery mildew and to maintain adequate ventilation between asters carps.
It is also very importantproper irrigation rebate with asters Remember to keep the soil moderately moist at all times. Aster carps dry out quite quickly (New English Aster is especially sensitive), so water the plants regularly in periods of drought. When the soil is too dry, the first symptom will be that the plants lose their lower leaves.
Note!Asters should be watered directly on the soil under the plants, so as not to wet their leaves. Often, wetted leaves are very susceptible to attacks of fungal diseases.
Applying well-distributed organic fertilizers and compost in early spring will also help you get beautifully flowering plants. In mid-May, the plants should be supplemented with multi-component mineral fertilizers.
Autumn aster 'Connecticut'
Autumn asters in winter
Autumn asters are frost-resistant plantsand winter well under the snow cover. However, if winter is frosty and snowless, it may be necessary to protect plants from frost and wind. You can help Astrom by covering them with twigs of conifers.
How to rejuvenate autumn asters?
Asters can grow in one place for several years , then you can see symptoms of plant aging, weaker growth and less abundant flowering. Therefore, every 3 to 5 years in the spring (April or early May) it is worth digging up the plants and separating the stolons growing around it from the old stumps. Throw the old carp and plant the stolons again, obtaining new, young plants. Before planting the runners, do not forget to add fresh soil, rich in nutrients needed by young plants.
I hope that thanks to these tips, your garden beds or balcony containers will be full of charm throughout the autumn, thanks to the exuberantly blooming autumn asters: -)
