Heart-leaved Aster

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

Aster cordifolia (lat. Aster cordifolius) - one of the less common representatives of the genus Astra, belonging to the family Compositae, or Astrovye. Introduced into culture back in 1759, but is still rarely used in ornamental gardening. It has several interesting and significant varieties for floriculture. Found naturally in eastern North America.

Characteristics of culture

Aster cordifolia is represented by perennial herbaceous plants or small shrubs not exceeding 1.5 m in height. In culture, there are also low-growing specimens reaching a height of only 25-30 cm. This characteristic allows the use of cordifolia aster in various compositions, including rockeries and rock gardens. The plant is equipped with erect, strong, rather dense, pubescent or bare, strongly branched stems, which have a reddish tint and bear three types of leaves. The upper foliage is entire, lanceolate; middle - sedentary, narrow; lower - broadly ovate, serrated, pointed at the tips, cordate or spear-shaped at the base.

Inflorescences are represented by baskets with a diameter of no more than 2 cm. They are collected in loose, but very attractive panicles. Baskets consist of numerous marginal flowers of white, purple or blue color (shade varies), and yellow disc (tubular) flowers. The baskets are surrounded by a wrapper, the leaves of which have a linear or oblong shape. A distinctive feature of the wrapper leaves is the presence of pressed tips. Aster flowering is observed in late summer - early autumn. Long-lasting, intense flowering.

The species is characterized by frost-resistant properties, plants under a snow cover can withstand frosts down to -40C. Aster cordate has several interesting varieties. Among them we can mention the “Ideal” variety. It is characterized by perennial plants with elongated regular foliage and inflorescences with lavender-blue reed (marginal flowers). No less wonderful is the Silver Spray variety. It is famous for semi-clusters up to 150 cm high, above which baskets with delicate lilac reed flowers adorn. Both varieties are photophilous, easily tolerate partial shade, are resistant to drought, and are undemanding to soil conditions.

Care features

There is nothing remarkable in caring for the heart-leaved aster. Plant care involves standard procedures, that is, watering, weeding, feeding, and pest and disease control. The considered species of the genus Astra is a moisture-loving plant, a lack of moisture can destroy the plant or lead to premature yellowing of the leaves and drying out, which significantly spoils the decorative appearance of the semi-bushes. In addition, the lack of watering affects the number of inflorescences or their quality characteristics, they become very small and are formed in small quantities.

The hearty aster also needs systematic feeding. Phosphorus fertilizers are especially good for the development and growth of plants. It is recommended to carry out two dressings per season. The first involves the use of complex mineral fertilizers (in early spring), the second - phosphorus and potassium fertilizers (at the time of bud formation). The third feeding is not prohibited, it is carried out in the fall with the help of complex mineral fertilizers. In one place, the heart-leaved aster is able to grow, not at the expense of decorativeness, up to 4-5 years, in the future it needs division. By the way, division is one of the most common methods of reproduction of the considered representative of the Astra genus.