The hardy Alpine Aster prefers a sunny site. The flowering perennial is suitable for beds as well as for planting in containers.
Alpine asters are almost indestructible. Thanks to their adaptation to the harsh mountain climate, the flowering plants defy wind and weather and delight with their violet flower heads from May. The robust mini aster can compete with its larger relatives in the bed. The Alpine aster (Aster alpinus) is particularly effective in the rock garden. Other common names for the Alpine aster are Alpine star flower, blue chamois bloom, blue chamomile or blue mountain star herb. How the colorful perennials are properly planted and cared for is revealed below.Alpen Aster - Origin
The small aster is not only at home in the eponymous Alps. The Pyrenees, the High Tatras and the Balkans are also home to the Alpine aster. Occurrences can also be found in Iran, in Siberia or in North America. The robust plants grow up to an altitude of 3,000 meters. Attentive hikers will often discover the alpine aster in the company of edelweiss.
Alpen Aster - special features
The alpine aster belongs to the daisy family. Blue Gamswurz or Blue Gamsbloom are other common names. The small aster has become at home in many rock gardens. However, if you encounter the plant in the wild, you must not pick it off or dig it up to use it in your garden at home. The alpine aster is a protected species and must therefore not be touched in the wild.
| Alpen Aster (Aster alpinus) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | upright, clumpy, cushion-like |
| Growth: | 5 - 20 cm |
| Growth: | 15 - 25 cm |
| Flowering: | May - June |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | well drained, loamy-sandy, stony, dry to fresh |
Plant Alpine Aster
➔ Find the right location
The alpine aster feels most comfortable in a sunny and warm location. Even in a partially shaded location, the robust plant will not wither, but probably lessgrow luxuriantly and hardly form flowers.
The rock garden is the ideal place for the plants, which grow to a height of around 20 centimetres. The stones absorb the heat during the day and can give it off to the plants after sunset.
» Tip: Alpine asters make few demands on their location and even settle in cracks in walls, as long as there is enough soil to take root.
➔ Choosing the ideal substrate
The substrate should be dry and fresh. It is important to ensure good soil permeability. This can be done by upgrading the substrate with sand or gravel and is particularly recommended for heavy clay soils. The nutrient requirements of the alpine aster are rather low, so that the robust plants do well with conventional garden soil.
➔ Plant Alpine Aster - step by step
- Select Location
- Prepare substrate
- Note the planting distance
- Dig planting hole
- Insert plant
- Close planting hole
- Press the earth well
- Water the plants
The alpine aster can be planted all year round on frost-free days. The best time to plant is spring and autumn. A plant distance of about 20 centimeters should be maintained for group planting.
Alpine asters can also be cultivated on the balcony or terrace. The planter should be at least twice the size of the root ball and have enough drainage holes in the bottom.
Care for Alpen Aster
➔ Water Alpen-Aster correctly
Compared to the autumn aster native to our latitudes, the alpine aster is far more robust and tolerates longer periods of drought. However, the soil must not dry out completely. Therefore, casting is not completely negligible. Water the alpine aster moderately but regularly. On hot summer days, you can water more intensively so that the sensitive roots can absorb plenty of moisture.
➔ Fertilize Alpen-Aster correctly
Alpine asters do not need to be fertilized regularly. Whether fertilization is necessary at all depends on the chosen location and the prevailing soil conditions there.
Normal garden soil is usually sufficient. If you notice when creating a new bed that the soil contains hardly any nutrients, you can mix in a small concentration of compost or horn meal. This gives the plants an organic long-term fertilizer and other fertilizer dosesare not necessary.
➔ Pruning Alpine Aster
In order for the alpine star flower to grow bushy and compact, scissors must be used regularly. Cut back vigorously in spring and late fall.
» Tip: Withered flowers are removed regularly. This will encourage the plant to rebloom.
About every three years it's time to divide the alpine aster. The hobby gardener not only gains a new plant, but also ensures that the Alpine aster does not grow old. If this is neglected, the old shoots will take over and the center of the plant will appear old and dried up. The plants can be completely dug up in spring or autumn. The root system is then checked for damage and divided with a sharp spade. The newly obtained plants are immediately put back into the ground. Before planting, the planting holes are well watered.
Propagate Alpine Aster
The division just described is a common method of propagating plants. In addition, new plants can be obtained from seeds. In the case of double-flowered alpine asters, division is usually preferred to sowing. Seeds can be sown directly outdoors from mid-May or grown indoors from March.
Diseases and pests on the alpine aster
Occasionally, the Alpine aster is infested with leafhoppers or leafhoppers. Powdery mildew or Verticillium wilt are common diseases that hobby gardeners should recognize as early as possible.
Powdery mildew is easy to recognize by the whitish coating that collects on the upper side of the leaves. The film can be stripped off the plants. Failure to do so will cause the leaves to turn brown and dry up.
The fungal infestation can be removed with a solution of water and milk in a ratio of 1:8. Endangered plants can also be treated preventively once a week.
The Verticillium wilt is also caused by fungi. An infection usually goes unnoticed at first because it occurs through the roots. The leaves turn yellow over time and give the impression of having dried up. The spores spread via the plant's water channels. This disrupts the supply of moisture, which leads to the damage described.
To save the plant, it must be transplanted and the substrate completely replaced. In order not to promote the disease, increased fertilization with nitrogen should be avoided.
Wintering Alpine Aster
The alpine aster is generally considered to be hardy. To ensure that the plants are well protected from frost, covering them with leaves or brushwood can help. Potted plants should overwinter indoors. If you don't have the opportunity to do so, wrap the planter with garden fleece and place the plant pot on a base made of polystyrene or wood.
Pretty varieties at a glance
Alpine asters are available in different varieties. Group planting will liven up the rock garden.
| Types | Features |
|---|---|
| Evening ticket | • flower color: pink • double flowers |
| Albus | • growth height: about 30 cm • flower colour: white • floriferous |
| Dark Beauty | • Flower colour: dark violet • Willingly blooms |
| Happy Ending | • Flower color: pink |