The carpet aster is a vigorous flowering and very popular perennial plant. In addition, it is easy to care for and quite undemanding.
The carpet aster 'Snowflurry' (Aster pansus 'Snowflurry') is a pretty perennial plant that is reminiscent of small snowflakes with its characteristic flowers - even in autumn. The English term snowflurry is also derived from this look. This aster species is also the only one of the asters that is characterized by a ground-covering growth. Again and again, new shoots of the carpet aster are formed, which ensure that the plant spreads like a fan. In the course of time, a dense stand is formed that resembles a carpet.
Even if the white flowering plant is not native to this country, it does very well in a rock garden. The carpet aster flowers from September to October, which also earned it the nickname September herb. The ground cover is also popularly known as the autumn aster.
| Carpet Aster 'Snowflurry' (Aster ericoides var. pansus 'Snowflurry' ) | |
|---|---|
| Growth: | creeping growth, ground covering |
| Growth: | 15 - 20 cm |
| Special Features: | undemanding, hardy |
| Plant Supplies: | 3 - 5per m² |
| Location: | Sun to partial shade |
| Floor: | dry to fresh, normal, well-drained |
The Charming Appearance of the Carpet Aster
The carpet aster has countless star-shaped flowers of a fine-rayed nature. Especially in autumn, the dense blossom population is a real feast for the senses. The cute white daisy flowers are characterized by the yellow center and tiny size. In comparison to the linear leaves in a dark, rich green, the flowers of the carpet aster form a successful contrast. The stems of the plant are quite branched at the upper end. In the garden, the carpet aster Snowflurry comes into its own when planted as follows:
- growing down on walls
- hanging down on landings
- in stone beds
- as a container plant
- in troughs or boxes as an ornamental plant
or also:
- on a bee pasture
- on a butterfly pasture
- on an insect pasture
In addition, the carpet aster gets along with many plant partners, which can also come from the aster family, for example. Therefore, the carpet aster can be combined in the garden as follows:
- with tall aster varieties that bloom bright blue
- with Feather Grass
- with violet verbs
- with Indian grass
- together with the Blue Spurge
- with the Big Bacopa
Basic information about the plant genus Aster
As a ground-covering plant, the carpet aster is a real exception in the aster family. However, it also has many characteristics in common with other aster species. This genus of plants belongs to the daisy family, of which around 180 different species are known around the world. Asters are widespread, especially in Eurasia. Many aster species are used as ornamental plants in gardens and parks.
Most asters, like the carpet aster, are perennial. However, there are also annual and biennial plants of this genus. The plants differ greatly in terms of their height. These can amount to just three centimeters up to three meters. A variation from toothed to smooth can also be observed in the leaf margins. This plant family covers the following color spectrum:
- white
- pink
- blue
- purple
- red
The genus as such was already documented in 1753. Linnaeus is responsible for this. The genus name "Aster" is derived from the Latin "astrum", which means something like orb or star and thus refers to the flower shape of most asters. Each variety of aster is also known by its own Latin name, for example "Aster pansus" for carpet or snowflurry aster.
The Carpet Aster prefers these locations
The carpet aster 'Snowflurry' can be planted on stone and open spaces as well as on the edge of trees. In addition to a location in full sun, the Aster is above all a dry, but sufficiently permeable and nutrient-poor soil very important. In open spaces, the snowflurry aster also thrives very well in moderately dry to fresh soil. At the edge of the wood, a sunny and sufficiently warm location is very important. Unless the carpet aster over onehas a sufficiently strong root ball that has dug itself deep enough into the ground, it can even thrive in a partially shaded spot.
Plant the carpet aster in your own garden
If you want to plant the carpet aster in your own garden, you should keep a planting distance of a good 40 centimeters. The ideal planting time is from March to October, so that the small snowflake plants can be planted in your own garden for most of the year without any problems. The carpet aster is best planted in a group consisting of three to five individual plants.
Tips for successfully creating a perennial border
If the carpet aster is to be successfully integrated into a perennial bed in your own garden, all hobby gardeners should definitely take a few important expert tips to heart. After the plants have been unpacked, it makes sense if they are first placed in a water bath for ten minutes. The root ball of the carpet aster should be able to saturate itself sufficiently with water so that the plant can grow as well as possible. This can be seen from the fact that at some point no more air bubbles will rise in the water bath, which is a clear indication of a saturated root ball.
If a large bed is to be created, it makes sense to place the individual plants in their pots at the correct distance along the bed. In this way, the required planting distance can be correctly determined over the entire area. Any corrections to the distances between the carpet aster and the other plants are also much easier to do. Not only the carpet aster, but also all other plants are best placed in a perennial bed as a group of three or five. This ensures a particularly beautiful appearance.
Carefully remove the carpet asters and other plants from their pots without damaging the roots when removing the plastic pot. Therefore, under no circumstances should the shoots of the plants be pulled. Rather, the pot should be carefully turned upside down to be able to remove the carpet asters and other plants particularly easily. These should of course be caught as gently as possible with your free hand. Now the plants can be placed in a sufficiently large planting hole. Then it is necessary to water the carpet asters and other plants in the evening or morning hours, depending on the weather, in order to noticeably encourage them to grow in this wayfacilitate.
Care for and cut carpet aster
Pruning back in spring is recommended to care for the carpet aster. This should definitely be carried out close to the ground and only when the main flowering has already taken place. Even if the carpet aster does not allow itself to be carried away to a second flowering, the pruning helps ensure that the plant can produce a he althy, magnificent new shoot. Since the carpet aster tends to self-seed, it can also be kept under control by pruning.
The water requirement of the plant can also be described as rather low, which is why this aster variety is so well suited for rock gardens. The carpet aster therefore only has to be watered very rarely and only in really dry weather conditions that have lasted for a long time. If the carpet aster requires watering, it is easy to tell by the limp foliage of the plant.
Although the carpet aster should only be watered infrequently, a thorough watering that completely penetrates the plant is recommended when necessary. In full sun, however, the perennial plant should under no circumstances be watered. Rather, the plant fares better when watered in the early morning hours or in the evening after the sun has set.
If you divide the plant regularly every two to three years, you have the opportunity to easily remove all weak shoots and roots. This contributes to a better vigor of the carpet aster, which also results in a more radiant flower vigor. This targeted step stimulates the roots of the plant to spread into the deeper layers of the earth. This in turn helps the carpet aster to better compensate for possible dry periods on its own.
Fertilize Carpet Aster
A perennial fertilizer, which is known for its long-lasting effect, is ideal for re-fertilizing the plant. This is available from specialist retailers, with a fertilizer that is to be used at a concentration of 40 to 50 grams per square meter being the ideal choice. After all, the carpet aster should only be fertilized once a year, ideally in spring. In this way, flower growth can be specifically promoted in autumn. Not only organic, but also mineral fertilizers can be used to fertilize the carpet aster if necessary.
Hibernate the carpet aster correctly
The carpet aster 'Snowflurry' is afrost hardy variety. Accordingly, no special winter protection is required. The perennial and very easy-care plant can therefore give all hobby gardeners a lot of joy for a long time - and without much effort. After all, the carpet aster can be regarded as absolutely hardy even at temperatures of down to minus 23 degrees Celsius.
Recognize and combat diseases and pests on the carpet aster
The so-called aster wilt is a problem that can affect almost all asters. This also applies to the carpet aster 'Snowflurry'. This disease causes the foliage of the plant to turn brown. If an infestation is found, the asters must unfortunately be planted out of the garden bed so that the aster wilt does not spread to other plants.
If the weather is appropriate, mildew infestation is also possible. However, you can prevent it with a special tea made from horsetail. The carpet aster should be sprayed with this so that the mildew doesn't stand a chance. After all, this tea contains enough silicic acid so that the damaged fungus cannot settle on the carpet aster. In addition, most garden supply stores have special fungicides that can be used to combat powdery mildew.
As already mentioned, all hobby gardeners can also contribute to the long-term he alth of their carpet aster by taking another measure. For this purpose, it makes sense if the root ball is divided again and again over the life of the plant for several years and replanted in a different place. This strengthens the roots and thus the resistance of the carpet aster enormously.