Perennial alpine aster: cultivation and care in open ground

Description of the alpine perennial aster

The flower grows in the temperate climate of the northern hemisphere; its usual habitat is plains and high-mountain meadows.

The height of the bush is from 15 to 35 centimeters, the stems are pubescent, erect. The plant is highly branched, elongated leaves are located directly on the shoot. The underground part is represented by an overgrown horizontally oriented root system.

The leaves are found in abundance in the lower part of the plant, becoming small and sparse towards the top. With its entire appearance - the yellow center (these are tubular petals), the arrangement of the reed petals, the aster resembles a daisy. The diameter of flower baskets reaches 6 centimeters, but more often 3-4 cm.

Flowering begins early, in late May - early June and lasts 30 days. Until winter, the plant does not lose its attractiveness and disappears into winter along with its green leaves. This beautiful, unpretentious perennial winters well without shelter in northern latitudes.

Alpine chamomile has been known as a garden plant for more than 5 centuries. During this time, many varietal varieties were bred and the flowers were enlarged. The colors are the most varied: pink, white, lilac and purple, blue and dark blue. Only the yellow core remains unchanged.

Landscape designers tastefully decorate local areas and park areas with decorative squat bushes. Due to the fact that the flower grows quickly, it eventually forms covers that have a very lush appearance.

On the domestic map there are several territories where the alpine perennial aster is recognized as a rare and endangered species. It is also a medicinal plant and helps with some ailments.

Varieties

Gloria

The flowers are blue, 3 centimeters in diameter. The bush is low, only 20 cm.

Goliath

Large pale purple flower heads distinguish this species.

Albus

A low-growing bush up to 20 centimeters has white flowers. Characterized by lush flowering and a large number of green leaves.

Astra blue

The color of this variety is blue with a terry sunny center. The flowers are large, sometimes up to 8 centimeters, and the bush itself is relatively tall - it can grow up to half a meter. Blooms for a long time.

Rosea

Bright pink flowers up to 4 cm in diameter. It grows rapidly, forming rounded caps.

Dunkle Schone

Aster of this variety has a dark purple color of small inflorescences. An effective combination is obtained if plant species of contrasting colors are placed nearby.

Happy end

Pink daisies on strong branchy bushes attract the eye. This varietal species is very common in garden compositions.

Superbus

Lilac flower baskets are 3.5-4 centimeters in diameter.

Ruber

Rich pink-red hue and medium-sized flowers and bushes.

In addition to individual varieties, perennial mixtures look interesting. Complementing and shading each other, differently colored flowers create a truly magnificent sight.

Types and varieties of alpine aster

A large number of varieties and hybrids have been created based on the wild perennial alpine aster. Each type has a specific color scheme and shape.

Common types

• Hybrid Blue is a well-known variety of alpine perennial aster, loved by many gardeners for its frost resistance and large (up to 8 cm in diameter), blue flowers. The culture does not tolerate high temperatures or direct sunlight. The hybrid blooms profusely and long-lasting.
• The photo cannot fully convey the beauty of the large blue flowers of the alpine groundcover blue aster. The shrub belongs to low-growing crops, its length does not exceed 18 cm. Short, thick stems are densely framed by long serrated leaves, forming thick, bright greenery.
• Purple aster is the most common species in Russia and neighboring countries. The flowers are small and purple.
• The pink alpine aster "Rosea" is characterized by rapid growth and long flowering (about 3 months). The flowers are large, dark pink, rich in color, the petals are tubular.
• The short hybrid Goliath is used for landscaping alpine hills; the color of the buds is intense blue.
• The White Alps variety is a variety of perennial alpine aster, it can grow in one place for up to 5 years without replanting, the flowers are large and white.
• Asters with small (up to 4 cm), lilac-blue buds - the Dunkle Schone variety. The shrub is low-growing, grows up to 20 cm in length, the flowers are semi-double.
• The perennial aster alpine Illyria is distinguished by lush flowering, the color of the buds is pink, lilac, white, blue.
• The Alba variety looks like a large white chamomile, the plant is distinguished by thick, lush greenery, and is shaped like a bush.
• The Glory variety is an alpine perennial aster with thin, long petals like a chamomile. The bud is flat, small (less than 4 cm). The color of the petals is sky blue, the core is almost orange.

These are the most popular, simple varieties and hybrids of perennial alpine aster. They take root well and bloom in almost all climatic zones of Russia.

Planting and propagation

This species of aster is planted in different ways: in open ground with seeds, seedlings, propagated by dividing the bush and cuttings.

Seeds in open ground

Can be sown in early spring (late April) or summer or autumn. A cold-resistant plant germinates well, provided that the seed material is not old.

When collecting your seeds from faded baskets, you must remember that varietal characteristics may not be transferred to a new bush.

Make furrows in the garden bed and direct sowing, plant the seeds, water and cover with film. In such a greenhouse they will quickly hatch. After the seedlings show 2-3 leaves, they can be planted in the right place.

Perennials usually bloom in the second year if they are planted in summer or autumn. But those planted in April may produce little flowering this year.

We sow seedlings

In February or early March, alpine aster is sown at home.

• Equip containers with drainage holes;
• The soil should be light, fertile, it is better if the soil is from a special store;
• The seeds are not buried, but laid out on a damp surface and lightly sprinkled with earth;
• Spray from a spray bottle and cover with film;
• Dive when 2-4 true leaves appear;
• In May, the seedlings are gradually accustomed to the coolness, taken out to the veranda or other room;
• At the beginning of June we plant the seedlings in the ground outside;
• Planting is done in dug up beds with loose, drained soil;
• Planting scheme for low-growing and medium-growing perennials 30-50 centimeters between specimens.

Reproduction by dividing the bush

Alpine aster can grow in one place for a long time, but it does not reproduce by self-sowing. To renew plantings and obtain new bushes, division of the root system is used.

A plant (three years old or more) is dug up in the fall after flowering or in the spring. A part of the root is separated along with the upper stems. Transplant into a prepared place, maintaining the required distance.

With this method of propagation, the plant retains all the signs of the mother bush. This procedure is carried out every 3-4 years.

Cuttings

This method of propagating alpine chamomile is also available, while the characteristics of the parent plant are fully preserved. The procedure is performed in the summer.

• Cut off the tops of young shoots, the recommended cutting height is 5-6 centimeters;
• Make sure that there are three leaves left on it;
• We bury the cuttings into the prepared loose substrate, moisten them and place them in partial shade;
• Cover the planting with a fiber cover;
• After a month, roots appear;
• Now the plant can be transplanted to a permanent place outside.

The perennial aster does not require careful supervision. You need to water moderately, making sure that the water does not stagnate. During flowering, the soil should be moistened more.

Attention! If the place chosen is sunny and open, the flower will delight you with abundant development and stable flowering. In the shade it may not bloom at all; this should be taken into account when choosing a place for planting.

It prefers water- and breathable, light soil. When the roots are exposed, they need to be sprinkled or the bush should be replanted, deepening it to the required depth.

The plant can degenerate and become a little smaller. Regular transplantation and renewal will help prevent such developments.

Plant care rules

Although glass daisy is an exotic plant, it is surprisingly not capricious. If the location is suitable and the soil is good, then it does not require special care: there is almost no need for watering, and fertilizers are needed only during the flowering period. Weeds are removed as necessary to maintain neatness in the flowerbed. But they will have to help them through the winter as much as possible.

Do plants need to be pruned? There is no need for this.

Rules for watering and fertilizing

For what, for what, and for a lack of water, ice grass is ready like no other. A clear sign that it is time to water is significant drying of the top layer of soil. Therefore, it is necessary to water it very little and only during periods of prolonged drought. The rest of the time, watering is not only not necessary, but also not desirable. If the weather is too rainy, it won’t hurt to cover the plantings with film to prevent the soil from getting wet and becoming oversaturated with moisture.

Until the ice grass begins to bloom, literally one or two small feedings will be enough for it. Fertilizers in large quantities can even be harmful, and there will be no flowering. During the flowering period, fertilizing is applied every 15-25 days. A solution of complex fertilizers for succulents is well suited for this.

Rest period

Since our southern beauty cannot fully grow in the open air, many gardeners grow it as a house plant. And, when the street sunflowers fall asleep for the winter, their domestic counterparts begin a period of rest. During this period, they should not be disturbed, watered or flavored in any way - they rest and gain strength before the new season.

It is enough to move the pots to a cool, dark place and store them there at a temperature no higher than +10 degrees.

How to collect mesembryanthemum seeds

Collecting seeds is not particularly difficult. Wait until the flowering period ends, collect seed pods from the bushes and place them in warm water. There they will open and the seeds can be collected. The seeds are dried in a dark, dry, well-ventilated place and stored in a paper envelope.

Wintering

How to preserve in winter? In cold climates, the midday bird will not be able to survive the winter without human help. To do this, you will have to carefully dig it up along with a lump of earth, transplant it into a pot and store it in a dark, dry place at a temperature of about +10 degrees.

In the spring, at the beginning of March, these bushes are cut, transplanted into containers, and then cared for as with ordinary seedlings.

What is sick?

In very humid weather or if the location of the flower is chosen incorrectly, the roots rot and black mold appears. Powdery mildew forms on the leaves. The affected parts of the plant are thrown away, and the rest is sprayed and treated with antifungal drugs, as well as Bordeaux mixture.

Attacks aster and aphids. The leaves captured by it are not able to grow well, and flowers cease to form. They simply do not have enough strength for this - aphids suck the juices from the shoots.

Effective methods help against all insect pests (slugs, caterpillars, mites) - spraying with an ash or soap solution, or a mixture of both. You can also dust the space under the flower with wood ash.

Place in landscape design

Alpine aster blooms for a long time and goes well with many plants and shrubs. This is a kind of background that can be supplemented with anything.

Flowers, having similar colors, but having different shapes, are in great harmony with this modest flower: border bearded irises, violets, bergenias, geraniums.

Multi-colored flower arrangements also benefit visually. You can plant yellow loosestrife and multi-flowered euphorbia, and sedum prominently next to the alpine perennial.

Shrubs such as white and variegated dogwood, Thunberg barberry, and Japanese spirea will be good neighbors for the small, simple aster.

Thyme and different types of ornamental grasses should be combined in plantings with all varieties of this species.

Since flowering is early, it will be great to combine plantings of low perennials with other types of asters (middle and late) - September, October, Belgian and other varieties.

The beauty of the Alpine aster can be appreciated both in single and group plantings. This is an excellent border and ground cover plant.

• Flower beds of all types: ridges, rock gardens and rockeries, mixborders;
• As a balcony and potted plant for landscaping terraces, verandas, gazebos;
• Decoration of the banks of small artificial reservoirs;
• Rocky Japanese gardens.

Vigorous lush flowering, combined with unpretentiousness in maintenance, simply obliges you to acquire this plant. A unique, delicate flowering bush will be a favorite of the garden - it will be one of the first to bloom, will require a minimum of attention, and its lush forms will become the highlight of your site.

General description and main varieties

Alpine aster is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family. As for representatives of this family, aster blooms quite early - in late May or early June. The flowers of the plant are not large, their diameter does not exceed 5-6 cm. In appearance, the perennial alpine aster resembles a chamomile, but differs from it in the variety of colors, which is why it has won the love of summer residents.

White, blue, purple, lilac and pink asters grow in lush bushes no more than 30 cm high. The plant is excellent for decorating hills and rockeries, ordinary flower beds.

Breeders have developed many varieties of alpine aster. The following are most often found on private plots:

• Albus - white flowers with a yellow-green center, bloom in early summer.
• Goliath - flowers of lilac and deep purple color, diameter - up to 6 cm. The beginning of flowering period is June.
• Superbus - the plant has lilac-blue flowers with a diameter of no more than 3 cm.
• Helen Beauty is a semi-double variety, the flowers have a bright deep purple color.
• Wargrave - flowers are pale pink with a bright yellow center, the diameter of the inflorescences is 3-4 cm.
• Ruber - unusually beautiful asters of red-pink color, flowers up to 4 cm in diameter.
• Happy End - the variety is distinguished by early flowering. Flowers bloom in May. The color of the inflorescences is pink.

When and how does it bloom

The buds are small, the diameter varies from 3 to 8 cm. There are up to 100 inflorescences on a bush.

Types of flowers

The petals are the reed flowers of the aster. In the center - tubular, the wrapper is formed from transitional flowers.

Flower shapes

Most varieties have flat disc-shaped baskets; there are species with semi-double and terry baskets.

Flowering period

Early flowering varieties bloom in May and produce flower shoots until the end of August. The remaining asters bloom from July to October, some species bloom until the end of October.

Changes in care during the flowering period

Throughout the entire period, complex fertilizers are applied twice a season. Faded buds are cut off.

In aster Blue, tubular flowers form a hemispherical cap; testes are formed only in the central part of the basket

Growing from seeds

Alpine aster seeds ripen in late July or early August. They are flattened, obovate-shaped achenes with a small white “tuft.” When sown directly in the ground, seeds rarely germinate normally, especially when it comes to early flowering varieties. In the conditions of the cold Russian spring, it is difficult to obtain well-warmed soil, so seed germination deteriorates. First, the seeds are sown at home, then the grown plants are transplanted into open ground.

In order for seeds to germinate successfully at home, it is recommended to adhere to the following rules:

• For sowing, prepare small boxes filled with nutrient substrate.
• Seeds are sown in moist soil, and the ambient temperature should be at least +20° C.
• Boxes with sown seeds are covered with glass or film.
• When seedlings appear, the temperature in the room is lowered by two degrees, or the boxes are moved to a cooler place.
• When 3-4 leaves appear on the sprouts, they are dropped into separate peat cups.
• At the beginning of May, the plants are taken out to the balcony or outside during the daytime so that the asters get used to the street conditions.
• When warm weather sets in, the plants are planted in open ground.
• Choose a sunny place for planting.
• The soil in the area where the aster will be planted must be fertile. What plants need most is calcium.
• The flower does not like high humidity, so the area should not be too low and water should not stagnate on it.
• Asters can grow in one place for up to five years. Then the bushes are divided, discarding the old ones, and transferred to other areas.

If you come across a variety that you want to have in your garden plot, but there is no way to collect seeds, you can propagate the flower using apical cuttings. Its length should be at least 6 cm. After cutting, the cuttings are planted in the shade in moist, fertilized soil and covered with a glass jar or a cut plastic bottle. Within a month the plant will take root.

You can also propagate your favorite alpine beauty by dividing adult bushes.

Landing dates

In central Russia and the south, aster seeds are sown in May or at the end of November, closer to winter. Separated from the mother bush, young plants are planted at the end of October. In the northern regions, it is necessary to prepare (grow) alpine aster seedlings, starting in winter.

Important! Grown seedlings are transferred to open ground in June, as soon as the night frosts end.

Site selection

For perennial alpine aster, choose a well-lit, ventilated area, but without drafts. The flower will grow on it for 5-7 years. The crop does not grow in the shade of trees and bushes and may die. But the bush should not be exposed to direct sunlight. It’s good if the site is located on a small hill, for example, an alpine hill. This will protect the crop from being flooded by groundwater.

Soil preparation

The soil should be loose, with good drainage, and not acidified. The flower does not tolerate stagnation of water in the soil. To plant perennial alpine (ground cover) asters, choose loamy, sandy soils, which are carefully dug up first. Chernozems are diluted with river sand and humus. Digging the soil with the addition of peat will ensure air permeability, good drainage and soil fertility. It is good to add calcium fertilizers to the soil. In the spring, when digging, superphosphate is added to the soil to neutralize acidity.

Planting scheme

Aster seeds are sown in small furrows 1.5 cm deep, the distance between seeds is at least 1 cm. The seed is not covered with soil on top: you can lightly sprinkle it with a thin layer of humus. Then the seedlings are watered from a watering can with a sprayer.

Diseases and pests

Alpine aster is rarely affected by diseases, but in damp and rainy summers powdery mildew may appear. This is a fungal disease that appears as a gray-white coating on the stems and leaves. They fight powdery mildew with the help of Topaz or Fundazol. The products are diluted in water according to the instructions, and the plants are sprayed at least twice.

If asters grow in waterlogged soil, fusarium may develop - rotting of the roots. Plants become brown in color and die over time. At the first signs of disease, the affected plants are removed by the roots, and measures are taken to help drain the area.

Asters can be attacked by the following insect pests:

• cutworm caterpillars;
• spider mites;
• slugs;
• meadow bug;
• slobbery pennitsa.

Insect pests are controlled using insecticides that are sold in agricultural stores.

Thanks to their beauty and unpretentiousness, alpine asters quickly win the hearts of summer residents; Having planted the plants once on their site, the owners will never give up the charm and colorful colors of asters.

Diseases, pests and their control

The main disease of the species is powdery mildew. Pests are spider mites and aphids.

Powdery mildew:

• at the first sign - 2 ml of topaz per 10 liters of water;
• soda solution - 4 g of powder per 1 liter of water.

Processing is carried out in dry weather, without wind.

Powdery mildew on leaves

Aphid:

• soap solution: 300 g of laundry soap per 10-liter bucket of water;
• onion infusion: mince 200 g with skin, add 10 liters of water, let stand for 12 hours.

Spider mite:

• in the early stages - daily spraying with warm water (no more than 7 days);
• for large colonies of pests - 200 g of chopped garlic per 10 liters of water.

Pest control is recommended before the inflorescences appear.

Perennial alpine aster: planting, care, photo

The perennial alpine aster can be an excellent decoration for a summer cottage, garden or balcony. This flower is highly valued for its ease of care. If you want the perennial alpine aster - planting and care, photos and cultivation features are presented in our article.

The main differences between the Alpine aster

Alpine aster is one of the varieties of the genus of herbaceous plants called Asters. This perennial flower is widespread in many countries of the world. The main differences of the Alpine aster: • low growth - up to 35 cm; • yellow center; • petals in 2 or 3 rows; • colors - shades of red and purple, less often white; • flowering period - all summer.

Externally, the flower looks like a chamomile. We present to your attention our photo selection, which presents several varieties of perennial alpine aster.

In the photo are popular varieties of perennial alpine aster

Rules for planting perennial alpine aster

All perennial asters need plenty of sunlight. It is necessary to take this fact into account when planning to plant a flower in open ground. Never plant this plant in a flooded area. It is also worth knowing that asters love phosphate fertilizers. It is better to start care in the form of soil enrichment even before the seedling is planted in the ground. Before planting, be sure to carry out such activities as digging up the soil (to a depth of 30 cm), removing weeds and thoroughly watering. It is advisable to add lime or dolomite flour to the soil when digging.

In the photo: alpine aster seeds

Planting seeds of perennial alpine aster

In the southern regions, alpine aster seeds are sown directly into open ground in late autumn or spring, sprinkled with a centimeter layer of humus. Slightly stronger seedlings are transplanted to a permanent place. It is important that the seeds are as fresh as possible. You will be able to see colorful flowers, as in the photos provided, only after a year.

In regions with harsher climates, the seedling method of growing perennial asters is practiced. Purchased soil is quite suitable for planting seeds. The container with the sown seeds is covered with polyethylene and placed in a sunny place. When the leaves appear, the seedlings are carefully dropped into separate pots.

This is what perennial aster seedlings look like

Caring for aster seedlings includes infrequent but abundant watering. You can feed the seedlings a little with an infusion of ash. Drainage is required. From mid-spring, seedlings begin to be hardened off, and at the end they are planted in open ground.

Reproduction of perennial aster by dividing the bush

This way you can propagate flowers growing on your or any other piece of land. Perennial alpine asters must be replanted and divided every 7 years. But many gardeners note that if you do this more often (for example, once every three years), the splendor of flowering is better preserved. After digging up the roots, remove all damaged parts and treat the planting material in a disinfectant. Planting in the same place can only be done after 5 years.

Dividing the bush - the possibility of propagating perennial aster

Cutting cuttings and rooting them

From the top of the bush you need to cut a cutting 6 cm long. It is immediately planted in prepared soil consisting of turf soil, sand and peat, and covered with agrofibre. Caring for cuttings before rooting involves regular watering. In about a month they will take root and can be transplanted to a permanent location.

How to provide proper care for perennial aster

As noted at the beginning, the perennial alpine aster is an unpretentious plant. But this does not mean that once you plant it, you can completely forget about it, ignoring the basic rules of care. The plant may not please you with the full beauty of its flowering if it experiences an acute lack of moisture, is overgrown with weeds, and the ground around is not regularly loosened. A good way to retain moisture and prevent the formation of weed thickets is to mulch the soil.

Dried flower stalks must be removed immediately so that the plant does not waste energy on them. If the region experiences severe winters, sprinkle the plant with sand or soil in the fall. Organic fertilizers should be periodically applied to soil with low humus content. Feed asters with preparations containing nitrogen, potassium and phosphorus. You can add lime to the fertilizer.

Perennial alpine asters are responsive to feeding

Diseases of perennial aster and the fight against them

Asters are often susceptible to the following diseases: • Blackleg is a common fungal disease. Blackening and rotting of the plant occurs. Control method: immediately remove affected shoots and water the soil with an appropriate fungicide. • Rust - the disease is manifested by swelling and drying of leaves. Bordeaux mixture helps in the battle. • Fusarium is a fungal disease of perennial asters, manifested by yellowing and wilting of the plant. All affected parts must be burned. For prevention, it is important to transplant asters to a new location.

How to care for an alpine aster

This plant is unpretentious, but needs basic procedures: watering, loosening the soil, shelter from direct sunlight, replanting. If these conditions are met, the aster will grow well and bloom profusely within a month or three, depending on the variety.

Watering

Aster needs regular watering, especially during the flowering period. It is carried out once a week, if the summer is hot, then 2 times. During cold, rainy periods, watering is stopped. Excess moisture leads to rotting of the roots.

Top dressing

Perennial asters naturally grow on depleted soils, so they do not need frequent feeding. Perennial flowers are fertilized when seedlings germinate and the first buds appear. In the first case, complex mineral fertilizers are added to the soil, which include potassium, nitrogen, and phosphorus. During the budding period, the same minerals are added to the soil, with the exception of phosphorus.

Preparing for winter

Almost all varieties and hybrids of alpine perennial aster are frost-resistant, tolerate winter without shelter, and bloom until the first snow appears. As soon as this process ends, gardeners cut the stems of the bush, leaving a length of 10 cm.

In the last month of autumn, mulch the soil around the flower with sawdust in a thick layer. You can also cover asters with earth or sand. In November, the plant is pruned, removing dry shoots and leaves.

Protection from diseases and pests

During the period of active growth of perennial aster seedlings, it can be affected by the “black leg” disease. It develops in a humid environment on densely growing shrubs. The stems and roots of the plant turn black and begin to rot. Powdery mildew and rust appear under the influence of similar factors. Diseases must be combated by spraying with fungicides and Bordeaux mixture. When the first signs of fungal infection appear, yellowing of the leaves, their wilting, the affected parts are cut off, and the aster is transferred to a new place.

Aphids and spider mites often attack the green parts of the aster. Insecticides are used to combat them. The first preventive spraying is carried out in the spring. At this time, you can use treatment with tar water (3 tablespoons of birch tar per 10 liters of water) or laundry soap.

Important! Sunlight and thinning of herbaceous flowers will eliminate the appearance of slugs and snails on perennial asters.

Alpine aster. Planting and care. Reproduction

The world of flora never ceases to amaze and fascinate with its splendor. A separate group of universal perennials allows you to create flower beds that are stunning in their beauty and uniqueness. Alpine aster, blue alpine daisy, mountain aster - this is all the name of one species of the Asteraceae family, perfect for creating a rock garden.

The basket-shaped flowers of cultivated garden species are particularly decorative; they are larger, 3-6 cm in diameter and can be white, purple or pink in color with a yellow, terry center formed from many small tubular petals.

Alpine aster. Features of planting and care

Despite the fact that alpine aster is quite unpretentious, to obtain the most decorative color effect and beautiful shape of the bushes, well-drained soil is required, without special requirements for acidity. Fertilized, carefully dug loamy soil with a high calcium content will guarantee more decorative, abundant and long-lasting flowering. Light soils require regular moisture, otherwise, with prolonged drought, plants may stop flowering and lose their decorative appeal.

To obtain a good exposure, planting must be organized so that the flower garden is located on a bright, but slightly protected from direct sunlight, area oriented to the south, east or west. Species of alpine asters with an autumn flowering period must be placed in more sunny places, since in the shade they may not have time to bloom.

In order for varieties intended for autumn flowering to form buds in the same year, their planting must be organized in the spring, at a distance of 20-45 cm, after which the plantings must be thoroughly watered and constantly monitor the soil, which is always must be wet. Young shoots should not be allowed to become exposed and, if necessary, problem areas should be covered with a small, 2-3 cm layer of specially prepared soil.

It is not necessary to introduce fertilizing in the year of planting, as this can stimulate excessive leaf growth, which will negatively affect flowering. Lack of moisture during the period of bud formation can lead to premature yellowing of leaves, a decrease in the number of blossoming inflorescences, or, in general, stop the flowering process. To maintain a good aesthetic appearance, the bushes should not be allowed to grow and thicken greatly. After 3-4 years they need to be divided and transplanted to another place. In some cases, it is allowed to stay in one area, without transplanting, for 5-6 years.

Reproduction - which method is better

Propagating alpine aster by sowing seeds directly into open ground is a troublesome and unjustifiable method due to the low germination of seeds, the inability to create an optimal temperature in nature for friendly shoots, and the long waiting period from sowing to the flowering period.

The best results can be achieved by sowing seeds at the end of March or, in extreme cases, the beginning of April, in special seedling boxes or greenhouses adapted for early planting, since the seeds germinate only at a temperature not lower than +20 degrees. During the growing period, it is necessary to maintain the temperature within 15 - 18 degrees Celsius. Higher air temperatures can cause seedlings to stretch, weaken and be susceptible to disease.

After the formation of 2-3 full-fledged leaves, it is necessary to make a dive and already in May, when the soil warms up to the desired temperature and stable warm weather sets in, you can plant it in a permanent place prepared for placing a flower garden.

The method of vegetative propagation by dividing the bush is considered more acceptable and is more often used in practice than growing seedlings by sowing seeds. There is no need to dig up the entire bush; using a sharp shovel, it is enough to divide the rhizome into parts, so that on each there are several shoots left.

The distance between plantings depends on the condition of the separated part. Strong and powerful plants should be placed according to the 50x80 pattern, while weaker plants should be placed in 20x30 cm.

There is another method that is used mainly when propagating varietal alpine asters. Tops - 5-8 cm cuttings are taken from large healthy plants, planted in a darkened area in a substrate consisting of peat, rotted turf soil and sand, in proportions 1: 2: 1. Propagation by cuttings can be carried out during all warm months, starting from May and including mid-August. After 30 days, when the root system is formed, the plants can be transplanted to a permanent location.

Alpine aster. Care and protection from diseases

Timely pruning of old and damaged branches, preventing the formation of thickened and unventilated bushes, as well as maintaining optimal humidity, will protect the flower from damage by gray mold.

Good bottom ventilation, timely removal of fallen leaves, reducing humidity at the first signs of disease and treatment with special compounds will protect the plants and maintain a healthy aesthetic appearance.

There is no need to leave a heavily damaged plant on the site, as this may contribute to the spread of the disease throughout the entire area. It is very important to promptly remove and burn flowers infected with gray mold. Alpine aster is perfect for rock gardens and will fit perfectly into a rock garden that allows for a freer choice of plants. By placing this type of aster in a mixborder or in the foreground of a flowerbed, you will be able to admire not only the flowers, but also a large number of butterflies that love to visit areas where alpine flowers bloom.

Features of the mesembryanthemum

Mesembryanthemum is a biennial, annual and perennial family of Azizaceae, translated from Greek as “midday flower” and of all exotic plants it is one of the most spectacular and unusual. There are up to 80 species known to science in its genus.

Its appearance in your garden will not go unnoticed, and you will have to explain more than once what kind of flower it is and promise to share the seedlings.

Midday, sunflower, sunflower - this is how it is called due to the interesting feature of the first species discovered by man. These species close their buds in cloudy and rainy weather, as well as at night, and bloom only in sunny weather. The natural habitat of sunflower is Australia, Chile, South Africa, and some particularly hot European regions. Existing in such a hot climate, where droughts and very high temperatures often occur, the sunflower has acquired a number of characteristic features for survival: its stem is covered with thin hairs that prevent the formation of moisture, which can, like a lens, intensify the direct rays of the sun and burn the plant. Also, the midday plant is a succulent plant - this means that it has special tissues for accumulating and storing water reserves, like a camel.

The greenery is varied in shape and size, closer to the rhizome it is larger and more lush, the closer to the inflorescences, the smaller and sparser it is. The shape varies depending on the variety. On the surface of the leaves there are papillae with juice, which adds a crystalline shine to them in the sun when it has just rained or dew has fallen - hence such names as glass chamomile, crystal grass and ice grass.