Content
Shrub aster Jenny is a compact plant with a huge number of small double flowers of bright crimson color. Fits harmoniously into any garden, looks good against a green lawn or in combination with other flowers. Aster Jenny does not require any special conditions, so any gardener can grow it.
Description of the bush aster Jenny
Aster Jenny is a beautiful perennial shrub with bright red flowers. It reaches a height of 40-50 cm, the crop is quite compact and does not require special pruning. The shape is spherical, which allows it to be successfully used as a ground cover plant in compositions with other flowers. The leaves are dark green, small, with pointed tips. The stems are erect, branch well and grow.
Prefers open, well-lit areas. It can also grow in light partial shade from trees, shrubs or buildings. It is characterized by high winter hardiness, which allows the bush to be grown in different regions, including Siberia and the Urals.
Features of flowering
Astra Jenny is a perennial crop. It begins to bloom from the end of August and continues to delight the eye until October, until the onset of the first frost. The flowers are bright red, with a yellow center, double. They reach 5-8 cm in diameter and, due to their large number, look especially beautiful. They completely cover the bush and contrast well against the dark green foliage.
Aster Jenny flowers look great thanks to their bright colors and attractive yellow core.
Features of reproduction
Aster Jenny, like other shrub crops, can be propagated in different ways:
- seeds;
- layering;
- cuttings;
- dividing the bush.
One of the simplest methods is cuttings. Green shoots 10-15 cm long (with 2-3 buds) are cut in May. The lower leaves must be removed. The cuttings are kept in a solution of Kornevin or other growth stimulants. After this, it is planted in open ground and watered abundantly. Caring for it is carried out according to the same rules as for an adult Jenny aster bush.
Final rooting is observed after 1-1.5 months. At this point, the cuttings can be transplanted to a new location, maintaining an interval of 30-40 cm.
To do this, they are covered with film at night. This is especially important for the regions of the Urals and Siberia.
Application in landscape design
Despite the fact that the flowering of the Jenny aster itself begins closer to September, the bush is able to decorate the flower garden with greenery. The plant is characterized by its compact size and miniature shape. It is often used in single plantings, on alpine hills, in flower beds and in compositions with low-growing hostas.
Jenny aster bushes look good in single plantings
The plant is planted in outdoor pots and placed on the veranda or terrace
The Jenny variety looks great against the backdrop of ferns and other bright green perennials
Planting and caring for Jenny's bush aster
Astra Jenny is a very unpretentious plant. It takes root well in the first season. The main condition is not to over-moisten the soil and plant the bushes in a well-lit place.
Deadlines
Aster Jenny can be planted in spring or autumn. But the optimal period is considered to be the end of April - the beginning of May. At this time, the snow completely melts, the soil has time to warm up a little, and the frosts are receding. In the south, you can plant an aster in mid-April.
Site selection and soil preparation
Astra Jenny prefers fairly light and fertile soils. It can also grow on depleted soil, but in this case it will require regular fertilizing. The main requirement is that the soil should not be too moist. Therefore, planting in lowlands is excluded. And if groundwater comes close to the surface, the planting holes must be drained with small stones.
Also, when choosing a place, it is important to pay attention to its lighting. If the area is in constant shade, the Jenny aster will practically stop blooming.
Landing algorithm
Flowering plants need special attention. Incorrect actions during planting can lead to the death of the crop. Algorithm for performing the work:
- Clean and dig the area to a shallow depth.
- Dig small holes at intervals of 30-40 cm.
- Drain them with small stones.
- Make a mixture of compost and garden soil in a 2:1 ratio. Add 200 g of superphosphate and 60 g of potassium salt and mix. Distribute the resulting soil over the holes, root the seedlings and dig in. Water thoroughly and mulch the roots.
Watering and fertilizing
Astra Jenny does not require special care. This is one of the most unpretentious flowering plants. The only condition for the normal development of aster is moderate moisture. If you water too much, the roots of the plant will begin to rot, which can lead to the death of the entire flower.
The optimal moisturizing regime is 3-4 times in July and August, and in other months - 1-2 times
You can feed the aster 3-4 times per season:
- in early April, nitrogen fertilizer is applied;
- in June and July - superphosphates and potassium sulfide;
- For lush flowering, the culture can be maintained by fertilizing Aster Jenny for the last time in mid-August.
Weeding, loosening, mulching
Weeding is carried out as necessary. You need to monitor the presence of weeds regularly, especially if young seedlings of Jenny aster grow on the site. It is necessary to loosen the soil at least 3-4 times per season, immediately after fertilizing. Then the nutrients will quickly reach the roots, and from them to the whole plant.
Trimming
There are several types of pruning aster Jenny:
- formative – removal of shoots that clearly protrude beyond the edges of the contour. Usually the bush is shaped into a hemisphere, and excess branches are cut off. It is advisable to do this in the fall;
- sanitary – removal of all damaged and dried branches. This haircut is carried out in March or in the first ten days of April, before active sap flow begins;
- rejuvenating – shortening all shoots by 2/3 of the length to stimulate the active growth of new branches. This haircut can also be done in early spring, but not more than once every 3-4 years.
Preparing for winter
Aster Jenny, like other varieties of bush asters, tolerates frost well. Therefore, it does not require special preparation for the winter period. It is enough to feed the last time in mid-August, then water the plants abundantly at the end of September. After this, you can mulch the roots with any available material - spruce branches, peat, straw.
Pests and diseases
Astra Jenny has good resistance to both diseases and pests. However, it can be affected by gray mold or powdery mildew infections due to improper care. The main risk is considered to be waterlogging of the soil. Therefore, summer residents are always advised to follow the general rule: it is better to underfill than to overfill.
If signs of fungal infection appear, the Jenny aster must be treated with fungicides.
You can use Bordeaux mixture, Topaz, Tattu, Maxim and other products
Spraying is best done in calm and clear weather in the late evening.
Conclusion
Shrub aster Jenny is a good option for decorating the garden when you want to see miniature bushes with bright flowers in the flowerbed. Thanks to its winter hardiness, this plant can be grown in almost any region of Russia.
