The flowers of the aromatic aster are reminiscent of large, light blue daisies and make the easy-care perennial a bright eye-catcher in any garden.
The eye-catcher of the aromatic aster, whose botanical name is Aster oblongif.webpolius 'October Skies', are its delicate, light blue-purple petals, which are grouped in a ring around a yellow-golden centre. With a diameter of almost 5 cm, the flowers, which appear from August to October, quickly catch the eye.
The plant grows bushy, reminiscent of a dense cushion, up to a meter high and up to 80 cm wide. Their hairy and rough stems and leaves, like the flowers, only have a subtle scent. With them, the aster forms dense leafy bushes. In winter, however, it sheds its leaves and overwinters in our latitudes without any problems.
| Aster 'October Skies' aromatic (Aster oblongif.webpolius 'October Skies') | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | bushy, upright leafy stems, clump-forming |
| Growth: | 60 - 100 cm |
| Growth: | 50 - 80 cm |
| Flowering: | August to October |
| Location: | Sun |
| Floor: | fresh to moist, well-drained, loamy-sandy, humic |
Location - Where does the aromatic aster grow best?
The aster oblongif.webpolius 'October Skies' loves a sunny spot. She especially likes the autumn sun. Therefore, when choosing a location, make sure you have as many hours of sunshine a day as possible. If you want to plant the aster on a house wall, you should not choose a north wall for it, as in this case it will be in the shade during the day and can therefore only grow miserably.
Cultivation of Aromatic Aster 'October Skies'
Anyone who would like to enrich their garden with this perennial should observe a few tips in advance so that the aromatic aster can thrive optimally.
Planting and Pruning
It is best to plant your new aster bushes at a distance of 50 cm from each other in the perennial bed or in a border. There should be a maximum of four plantsshare a square meter of space. It also looks very nice in front of the garden fence, on the house or as a bed border. For good growth, the plant needs fresh, loose and moist soil. Pay attention to a humus-rich or loamy-sandy subsoil, then your aster will thank you with numerous flowers.
It is advisable to cut back the shoot tips in spring so that the plant can branch out better. At this time, the dead plant residues of the previous year are also removed. You can avoid aging by dividing the perennial every two to four years and replanting the parts. If you want to prevent the plant from seeding itself, you should remove the seed pods after flowering.
Water and Fertilizer - What does the Aromatic Aster need?
The soil in which the aster grows should be loose, moist and fresh, without waterlogging. The plant does not tolerate this, which is why regular but moderate watering is necessary, especially during longer dry periods. Make sure the soil has adequate drainage to prevent water build-up that could lead to root rot. It is best to water the rootstock of the plant every two to three days. Asters react quickly to longer periods of drought with yellow leaves and the stems become woody.
Asters love nutrient-rich soil. Therefore, it makes sense to mix some humus under the soil in spring. A second nutrient application in June, either with organic fertilizer or compost, will result in a lush growth of the plant.
Wintering - How do you manage the annual bloom?
The aromatic aster is not only particularly easy to care for, but also very robust and hardy, so that even beginners in gardening can enjoy this plant.
In the winter, the plant automatically withdraws into the root ball and in this way protects itself from the frosty season. Dead plant remains serve as protection against the cold, which is why they should only be removed in spring. The new shoots then have enough space to spread.
Neighbor planting for the Aromatic Aster
Asters can be combined in many ways with other plants, which also provide support and prevent snapping. Suitable neighbors include the Prachtscharte or Sonnenauge, which set color accents. Other autumn asters and various grasses, such as switchgrass or riding grass, also harmonize with this plant. The latter are particularly suitablewhen you want to avoid colorful mixtures and prefer green.
Propagation of Aromatic Aster
The division of aster perennials has several advantages:
1. It serves to propagate the plant.
2. The stalks are prevented from becoming woody.
3. It ensures a full bloom.
4. Diseases can be avoided in this way.
To propagate a perennial, you can divide its root. However, this only works for perennial, hardy asters, which include the aromatic aster. Since the Aster oblongif.webpolius blooms late, the best time to divide is in spring or after the blooming period towards the end of the year, at a time when there are no late frosts.
First dig up the rootstock and remove all woody and old shoots. Then, using a spade or sharp knife, divide the rootstock so that each new portion has at least two to three green shoots. The individual parts are then replanted, either in a bed or in pots and tubs.
Tip: If you don't have any asters yet, specialist shops have a wide range of seeds or container goods ready for you to grow at home.
Pests and threats to the aromatic aster
Basically, weakened plants are more susceptible to pests. Therefore, gardeners should take care to meet the requirements of their plants. Under no circumstances should you spread bark mulch. This has a herbicide effect and can damage the aster.
Among the most common threats to asters are powdery mildew and aster wilt. Both are caused by fungi infesting the plant. In extreme cases, the plant must be disposed of. As a rule, however, it helps to cut back the affected shoots, to plant the plant in a different location and, if necessary, to work with a fungicide.
If pests do spread on the robust asters, they are usually aphids or snails. The former can be driven away with a cold shower or nettle liquid manure. Snails are best collected by hand in the evening. In order to keep them away permanently, we recommend planting neighboring plants with thyme or monkshood, which will ward off uninvited guests. Snail pellets or a snail fence also help to prevent the gluttonous visitors.