Is Aster amellus a perennial or annual?
Aster amellus, the European Michaelmas daisy, is a perennial herbaceous plant and the type species of the genus Aster and the family Asteraceae. You can direct sow aster seeds outdoors in late fall, mimicking their natural cycle, or wait until early spring, just after the last frost of spring.Plant aster roots in well-draining moist soil, in a location that receives partial to full sun. Gardeners in warmer climates may need to plant asters where the cool-season plants will be protected from the harsh midday sun.How to care for Aster amellus King George: Choose a location with full sun to ensure the best flowering. Asters prefer well-drained, loamy soil rich in organic matter. If your soil is heavy or clay-based, incorporate compost or well-rotted manure to improve drainage and fertility.They offer pollinators food at the end of the summer and help give gardens a pop of color as we head into fall. Native asters are exceptionally easy to plant and come back year after year.
What are the benefits of asters in the garden?
Asters provide nectar, pollen and foliage for several native insects. Some of the pollinators and nectar-seekers visiting aster flowers include long- and short-tongued bees, honeybees, bumblebees, bee flies and butterflies. The plant serves as a host for several species of moths. Nectar-rich asters, also known as Michaelmas daisies, provide a boost for late-flying bees and butterflies. Cuttings are a cheap and easy way to get more of these plants. Once taken, they’ll grow over the next 12 months and be ready to flower next autumn, which is when the availability of nectar starts to diminish.Asters are in the daisy family, and most of the varieties grown in the UK are perennial, meaning they come back every year. They generally flower in late summer and autumn, which gives them their common name Michaelmas daisy. Asters are ideal for growing in mixed borders, with grasses and other prairie-type perennials.Nuthatches, towhees, goldfinches, cardinals, and chickadees all feed on the seeds of aster species throughout the winter, says Lenihan. Their stems can host stem-nesting bees, and the caterpillars of the pearl crescent butterfly overwinter at the base of the smooth aster (Symphyotrichum laeve).Most asters grow well in full sun; they will flower okay in light shade, but the shadier the location the less flowers. Some types are suitable for slightly shady borders. Many asters grow well in fertile soil that holds plenty of moisture in spring and summer.
What is the best month to plant aster?
The best time to put young aster plants in the ground is in mid- to late spring after the danger of frost has passed. Most asters are herbaceous perennials, meaning they will die back to the ground in winter. However, you can find some annual and biennial versions of asters as well.Asters are perennial and if they’re planted in a sunny spot in free-draining soil they will return year after year.Aster prefers cool weather to grow best: Spring (February–March) Autumn (September–November) In winter, sow seeds indoors for early blooms.
Can I plant asters in the autumn?
Young aster plants can be planted directly into borders in spring for flowers in autumn, or alternatively plant out in early autumn to establish before winter and for flowers the following year. Asters will spread by seeds and underground rhizomes. Either cut back the whole plant after flowering, since it will be one of the last flowers to bloom in your garden and you’d be cleaning it up soon anyway. Or deadhead the spent flowers on earlier blooming varieties to allow the foliage to naturally yellow and die.Asters are perennial, fall-blooming flowers. They can come back year after year for several years. These small, star-shaped flowers come in more than 600 different varieties. Their cheery blooms brighten up any garden in the late summer and early autumn months.Create a late-summer paradise with Aster flowers. Mix them with goldenrods and ornamental grasses for a prairie-style garden. Pair purple asters with contrasting yellow sunflowers for vibrant color play.Pruning asters Deadhead withered flowers regularly to encourage the aster to keep flowering. Prune back asters close to the ground towards the end of winter, around March, to encourage new shoots. The withered parts of the plant still provide protection during the winter.Many asters perform well in containers. Low growing, bushy types look good on their own or taller ones as a centrepiece surrounded by earlier summer flowering plants.
Can you plant asters in pots?
Asters do well when grown in pots or containers, provided a few cultural requirements are met. Choose a pot or container that is slightly larger than the original pot, but avoid using an overly large container where excess soil may hold too much moisture and rot the plant’s roots. Much as with any plant, proper moisture is a must for winter survival as well. With that in mind, lightly moisten the soil of your pot when you first bring it indoors. As for location, it’s best to store your aster plants in a cool area with low to medium lighting.