2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Aster heather (lat. Aster ericoides) - a flowering herb; a representative of the genus Astra, belonging to the large family of Asteraceae, or Astrovs. Under natural conditions, aster heather is found in the south and east of North America. In ornamental gardening, it is used, but not often, although, like other representatives of the genus, the culture has many advantages.
Characteristics of culture
Aster heather is represented by perennial herbaceous plants no more than 1 m in height, forming in the process of growth highly branched straight, glabrous or pubescent stems, practically covered with alternate linear apical green leaves and lanceolate or spatulate, toothed, obtuse, rough lower leaves on a dark green background which are adorned with numerous small inflorescences-baskets, not exceeding 1-1, 2 cm in diameter and collected, in turn, in the umbrella shields.
Baskets consist of white, pinkish or bluish marginal flowers and yellow-brown or brown disc flowers with a reddish undertone. The leaves of the inflorescences of aster heather are lanceolate, sharp at the tips, arranged in three rows. The wrap around the basket is bell-shaped. Aster bloom is observed in early autumn, usually in September-November. The species in question bears fruit quite actively. The seeds of the culture are tiny, flat.
It should be noted that aster heather forms beautiful pyramidal or oval-pyramidal dense bushes with an incredibly huge number of baskets that cover them with a solid rug. The species can boast of high decorative properties, especially abundant and long flowering, and frost resistance, it is difficult to imagine, but the plant tolerates temperatures down to -35C without any problems. However, in Russia, aster heather is not popular, it can often be found in gardens and parks in European countries and the USA.
Growing features
Heather aster cannot be ranked among whimsical cultures, it develops in any conditions. Although he still puts forward some requirements. Plants accept only semi-shaded areas with diffused light or open sun. According to many growers, it is possible to achieve abundant flowering and active growth when growing plants in conditions that are close in all respects to natural ones. It is not recommended to plant aster heather on sites with thick shade, on them it will feel defective (it will often hurt and be amazed by all kinds of pests).
Soil conditions do not play a special role, but the culture does not accept swampy, saline and too heavy soils. But the cultivated, loamy, fertilized, moderately moist, well-drained soils will be liked by the heather aster. If there are poor soils on the site, before planting asters, they must be fertilized with organic fertilizers, for example, humus or compost, as well as complex mineral fertilizers. Spring planting involves the introduction of at least 20 g of nitrogen fertilizers, they stimulate growth.
Planting asters is preferable in the spring. This is a material obtained by fission. By the way, this method is the most common. It should be noted that delenki planted in spring most often bloom in the same year, which cannot but please gardeners and florists who want to see their garden fragrant even in late autumn. Autumn planting is also possible, but, unfortunately, not all delenki have time to take root before the onset of cold weather, as a result they freeze and die.
Asters are also unpretentious in leaving. Plants need regular watering with warm and settled water, organic and mineral fertilizers, weeding and loosening as needed, as well as prevention and control of pests and diseases that practically do not bother the crop. It is important to note that the lack of moisture and fertilizers in the soil leads to early yellowing of leaves, a decrease in decorative and frost-resistant properties.
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Aster
© Karlis Zarins / Rusmediabank.ru Latin name: Aster Family: Compositae, or Astral Categories: Flowers Aster (lat.Aster) - popular flower culture; annual, biennial and perennial herb and shrub. Characteristics of culture Aster is a plant with erect, simple or branched stems of green color, the height of which varies from 20 to 150 cm.
Heather
Heather (Latin Calluna) - a genus of shrubs of the Heather family. The only representative of the genus is Common Heather (Latin Calluna vulgaris). In nature, heather is found in North Africa, Greenland, North America, the temperate zone of Asia and Europe.
Heather Garden - A Real Fairy Tale Of Paradise
Flower meadows of bright and delicate shades, an alluring aroma, butterflies swinging open with their patterned lids, buzzing dragonflies, chirping birds, the heavenly kingdom of plants - almost every gardener and owner of a backyard wants to contemplate such a picture. Do you think this is impossible ?! You are not right! And the heather garden will be a confirmation of this. Heather Garden is a floral and vegetable carpet woven by the friendship of nature and man. Without a doubt, he will turn the site into a real fairy tale
Common Heather
Common heather (Latin Calluna vulgaris) - the only representative of the genus Heather (Latin Calluna), belonging to the family of the same name Heather (Latin Ericaceae). This is a low-growing perennial shrub with a height of 20 to 50 centimeters, in very favorable conditions it can grow up to 1 meter.
Evergreen Heather
When you hear the word "Heather", your imagination is drawn to the small Pictish people who lived in the north of Scotland. They brewed a heather drink that was "sweeter than honey" and intoxicated more than wine. The recipe for the drink was passed from father to son, not allowing neighboring peoples to produce anything similar to it, and left the people with the last breath of the last Pict. So the legend says
