Content
- 1 Description of the September flower
- 2 The best varieties of New Belgian aster
- 3 September in landscape design
- 4 How to propagate September flowers
- 5 Planting the New Belgian aster
- 6 When and how to replant September trees
- 7 How to grow September flowers
- 8 Why September flowers don’t bloom and what to do
- 9 Pests and diseases
- 10 Conclusion
Many lovers of ornamental gardening enjoy late-blooming perennials that add variety to the dull autumn landscape of a wilting garden. Among such plants you can sometimes see large herbaceous bushes, densely covered with star flowers. They are popularly known as September or Oktyabrinka, although their correct name is New Belgian aster.
Description of the September flower
It is known that the New Belgian aster first came to the territory of modern Europe in the 17th century; it was brought from China to France. Gradually, the cultivation of these flowers began in other countries, including in Russia, where they were called September or October flowers for their late flowering. People also find another name - Michaelmas chamomile, since these plants bloom on Michaelmas Day (September 19).
Queen of the autumn garden - New Belgian aster
The main characteristics of the New Belgian aster are presented in the table:
Parameter | Meaning |
Plant type | Perennial herbaceous shrub |
Escapes | Smooth, bare or fleecy, depending on the variety, straight or slightly curved, forming a reverse pyramidal bush up to 1.5 m high |
Leaves | Sessile, alternate, lanceolate, green, rather small |
foliage | Strong, especially in the upper part of the shoots |
Root system | Fibrous rhizome |
Flowers | Bisexual, tubular in the central part, ligulate along the periphery, collected in numerous inflorescences-baskets, color depends on the variety |
Flowering time | September-October, some varieties bloom earlier |
When and how does the New Belgian aster bloom?
As a rule, the flowering of the New Belgian aster begins in the last ten days of September and ends in early October. These terms are typical for the Moscow region. In other regions they may differ slightly in one direction or another. Some varieties and hybrids bloom much earlier; the first inflorescences may appear on them as early as July.
Up to 200 inflorescences can bloom on a New Belgian aster bush
At the same time, up to 200 flowers can bloom on the New Belgian aster, which can occupy up to 50% of the surface area of the bush.At such times, the plant looks especially impressive.
What colors are September flowers?
The native color of the petals of the New Belgian aster is purple. It is this that most often occurs on wild and semi-wild plants, which are found in abundance in areas close to housing. Among the many varieties of September flowers, there are species with reed flowers of various shades of blue, blue, violet, pink, red, yellow. The central part is most often painted yellow or light green.
The best varieties of New Belgian aster
Currently, a large number of varieties and hybrids of the New Belgian aster have been bred, differing in the color of the inflorescences, flowering time, and size. The most popular of them are described below.
Patricia Ballard
New Belgian aster Patricia Ballard grows as a compact, medium-spreading hemispherical bush 0.8-1 m high. The inflorescences are large, semi-double, the central part is bright yellow, with a small amount of green in the center. The petaled flowers are pink-lavender in color. The plant has good frost resistance, is unpretentious in care, but grows better in fertile, well-lit areas protected from cold winds. Blooms in September-October.
Aster novobelgian Patricia Ballard is often used to decorate alpine slides
Crismon Brocade
The variety is distinguished by purple-red semi-double inflorescences with a yellow central part. The average height of the spreading, densely leafy bush of the New Belgian aster Crimson Brocade is 0.8 m. Flowering is amicable, begins in September and lasts 1.5-2 weeks.
Crismon Brocade belongs to the medium-sized varieties of New Belgian asters
Cassie
The bush of this variety of aster of Dutch selection can grow up to 0.8 m in height. Cassy inflorescences are numerous, small, with white petaled flowers and a greenish-yellow central part.
Cassie's inflorescences are very reminiscent of chamomile flowers
Henry Blue
This variety of New Belgian aster is distinguished by double purple-blue inflorescences. Henry Blue bushes are round, compact, low-growing, their height does not exceed 0.35 m. Flowering begins in August and continues until the end of September.
Henry Blue is grown by many gardeners as potted plants due to its small size.
Amethyst
The plant forms a fairly tall, dense, rounded bush that can reach 1 m in height. Ametist inflorescences are semi-double, 3-3.5 cm in diameter, consisting of dark purple petals arranged in 5-6 rows and a light yellow center. Blooms in late August or September.
Aster Novobelgian Amethyst blooms 30-35 days
Dick Ballard
The plant can reach a height of 1 m, while forming a beautiful voluminous bush. At the end of summer, numerous pink inflorescences with a yellow center appear on it. Dick Ballard blooms for a long time, up to 1 month.
Dick Ballard features delicate pink petals
Marie Ballard
One of the longest-flowering varieties of New Belgian aster, large inflorescences, up to 5 cm in diameter, appear on the bushes in August and disappear only after 2 months. The plant is quite tall, formed as a dense compact bush up to 1 m high. The petal flowers of Marie Ballard are lilac-bluish, the tubular central part is light, yellow-orange, vaguely reminiscent of an egg yolk.
Marie Ballard is distinguished by large, up to 5 cm in diameter, inflorescences
Magic Purple
This variety of New Belgian aster grows in small hemispherical bushes no more than 0.5 m high. Magic Purple stems are straight, highly branched, and pubescent. From mid-August, small, 2-5 cm in diameter, basket-shaped inflorescences with lilac-violet petals and a yellow middle part begin to appear on them.
Magic Purple grows no higher than 0.5 m
Sunset
The bush of this variety of New Belgian aster is spreading and not very tall, it can grow up to 0.6 m. The inflorescences are up to 3 cm in diameter, semi-double, with crimson petals and a yellow-green central part. Flowering of Sunset begins in August and lasts about 1 month.
Sunset - a variety with semi-double inflorescences
Royal Ruby
Aster New Belgian Royal Ruby grows as a dense, highly branched bush 0.8-0.9 m high. The inflorescences are semi-double, up to 3 cm in diameter, red with a crimson tint, bright, the central part is yellow, completely open. This is one of the longest flowering varieties of New Belgian aster. Flowers on Royal Ruby bushes appear in August and disappear only in October.
Royal Ruby holds the record for longest flowering time
White Ladies
The thin snow-white petals of this variety of New Belgian aster look very impressive in the autumn garden. Numerous inflorescences of White Ladies with a yellow center up to 3 cm in diameter literally cling to a powerful and spreading bush, which over the summer can grow up to 1.1 m. White Ladies blooms for 30-35 days, from September to October.
Dense White Ladies bushes are perfect for hedges
Elta
The plant forms a tall dense bush, powerful and highly branched shoots grow up to 1.1 m. Elta inflorescences are lilac-crimson, semi-double, with thin petals and a yellow central part. Flowering is abundant and long-lasting, occurring in September-October.
New Belgian aster variety Elta can grow above 1 m
Fallowship
The bushes of this variety of New Belgian aster grow strongly, gradually taking on a hemispherical shape. Their height reaches 1.1 m. The inflorescences are double, about 3 cm in diameter. Fellowship petals have a soft lilac color. The flowering of this variety of New Belgian aster begins in August and continues until October.
Fallowship - a variety with double inflorescences
September in landscape design
New Belgian asters are indispensable as border plants. They decorate garden paths and alleys. Low hedges are made from such plants and used in both group and single plantings. Low varieties of September flowers are planted in flowerpots and bowls.
September flowers look great as border plants
Flowers of different shades combine well with each other; they can be used to make a beautiful multi-colored flower bed. Some species are used to decorate alpine slides and rockeries.
How to propagate September flowers
It is not difficult to propagate New Belgian asters yourself. To do this, you need to collect seeds or use a vegetative method, such as cuttings or dividing the bush.
Propagation of September flowers by cuttings
It is not difficult to take cuttings from New Belgian aster. This can be done in May, as well as in any summer month.Cuttings are cut from the apical part of the stem; their size should be from 5 to 8 cm. After cutting, the tops of the shoots are planted in a nutrient substrate consisting of turf soil, sand and peat. New Belgian aster cuttings can be rooted both in open ground and in special containers. After planting, they need to be watered and covered with film. The shelters need to be ventilated daily, and also ensure that the soil does not dry out and moisten it in a timely manner. In about a month, the cuttings will form their own root system, after which they can be transplanted to a permanent location.
Dividing the bush
Dividing the bush is the most popular method of propagating the New Belgian aster. Plants need to be replanted approximately once every 3-4 years, since they quickly grow in one place. As a rule, it is at such a time that they are separated, and this is not only a method of reproduction, but also a rejuvenating procedure. It is carried out in early spring.
Dividing an aster bush rejuvenates the plant and is one of the ways to propagate it
The rhizomes of the New Belgian aster are cut with a knife or shovel so that each part contains at least 5 shoots with their own roots. After this, the divisions are planted in pre-prepared planting holes.
Seeds
The seed method of propagating the New Belgian aster is rarely used, since it is labor-intensive and time-consuming. In addition, varietal characteristics are not preserved when using this method, so the result may not be quite what the grower expects.
You can plant the seeds directly in open ground or first germinate them at home by growing seedlings.In the first case, all work is carried out in late autumn, before the onset of frost. Sow the seeds of the New Belgian aster in shallow furrows, then water them with warm water and sprinkle them with a layer of soil. In the spring, the resulting seedlings must be picked. This year the New Belgian aster will not bloom; this will happen only in the 2nd or even 3rd year after planting. You can speed up the process if you use the seedling method. To do this, the seeds are stratified and then sown in containers with soil. Before emergence of seedlings, the container for seedlings is covered with film and kept at a temperature of + 20-25 ° C.
New Belgian asters can be propagated by seeds, but this is not the best way
After seed germination, the containers are transferred to the windowsill. In the short daylight regime, New Belgian aster seedlings need to be illuminated; for this purpose, artificial lighting devices are installed above the seedlings. The plants will be ready for transplanting into open ground in 2 months.
Planting the New Belgian aster
Before planting the New Belgian aster, you need to choose the right place and prepare the soil. Depending on the purpose of the flowers, you need to choose seedlings of a suitable variety and make sure that they are healthy. The process of planting September flowers in open ground is very simple and will not cause much trouble even for novice gardeners.
When to plant September flowers
Seedlings obtained by dividing a bush are best planted in open ground immediately. Since New Belgian asters divide in early spring, when the ground thaws, planting is carried out at the same time. Rooted cuttings are planted during the summer or in September.Later dates are undesirable, since the seedling may not have time to take root in the new place and will freeze. Seeds are sown before winter, in October or November, and seedlings are transplanted in the spring, after at least 2 full-fledged leaves appear on them.
Site selection and soil preparation
To plant New Belgian aster, you need to choose well-lit areas that are sheltered from the wind. In the shade, the stems of the bushes become very elongated and become brittle, and flowering is significantly reduced. Wet soils and places where water stagnates are not suitable for growing these plants. The soil under New Belgian asters should be loose and fertile; in addition, it should not be acidic. This indicator is regulated by adding dolomite flour.
How to plant September flowers
Before planting, it is advisable to dig up the area in advance; it is better to do this in the fall, while simultaneously introducing humus. In the spring, you need to loosen the soil again, preferably adding superphosphate and potassium sulfate.
The area needs to be dug up in advance
As a rule, New Belgian asters are planted in shallow grooves, observing certain intervals:
- Low-growing varieties - 0.2 m between adjacent plants and 0.3 m between rows.
- Medium-sized species are 0.3 and 0.5 m, respectively.
- Tall asters - 0.5 and 0.8 m.
The container with the New Belgian aster seedling must be spilled with plenty of water in advance, this will make it easier to remove. It is important to carefully pull out the plant along with the earthen lump on the roots and place it in a furrow, then sprinkle it with earth, compacting it. The planting procedure ends with abundant watering of young plants.
When and how to replant September trees
Adult New Belgian asters need to be replanted every 3-4 years. If this is not done, the plants will grow, become shredded and lose their decorative properties. Usually this procedure is combined with dividing the bush and is carried out in early spring, after the ground has completely thawed. If necessary, you can replant the plants in summer and autumn, but you must leave a ball of earth on the roots.
Replanting is carried out only with a lump of earth on the roots
In summer, it is best to transplant in cloudy weather or in the evening. The bush is dug up from all sides, carefully removed from the ground and, without shaking it off, transferred to a new place, where it is dug in and watered abundantly.
How to grow September flowers
New Belgian asters are unpretentious and require little care. For good growth and abundant flowering, they require sufficient moisture and periodic feeding. It is also necessary to take care of the root zone so that plants, especially young ones, do not become clogged with weeds.
Watering and fertilizing
Usually, New Belgian asters have enough atmospheric moisture and do not require additional watering, especially if the root zone is mulched. It is necessary to moisten the soil only during dry periods, but remember that excess water is harmful for flowers. For irrigation, it is better to use pre-collected water that has been heated during the day, and carry out the work itself in the evening, after the sun has gone down and the heat has subsided.
New Belgian aster does not require increased watering
Abundant flowering requires the presence of a large amount of nutrients in the soil, so it is necessary to feed New Belgian asters. In spring and autumn, humus is used for this, scattering it on the root zone.In early spring, you can feed the plants with ammonium nitrate. In the phase of bud formation and at the beginning of flowering, superphosphate and potassium sulfate are used to fertilize the soil.
When and how to prune September trees for the winter
Before wintering, all stems of the New Belgian aster are cut to stumps 2-3 cm high. This can be done immediately after flowering or after the first frost. To carry out the work, you can use a sharp knife or garden pruners.
How to cover a September tree for the winter
New Belgian asters do not require additional shelter for the winter. Adult plants are quite frost-resistant and can easily tolerate temperatures down to -34 °C.
For the winter, young asters are covered with a layer of fallen leaves or spruce branches.
Only first-year seedlings should be insulated, especially if they were planted in the fall. In this case, the root zone is additionally mulched with dry leaves, covered with a layer of spruce branches, and after the arrival of winter, covered with a thick layer of snow.
Why September flowers don’t bloom and what to do
The New Belgian aster may not bloom for several reasons. Most often this happens due to the wrong choice of planting method, when the plant is in the shade all day and simply does not have enough sunlight. In this case, only replanting the bush to a new location will help solve the problem. Another common reason for the lack of flowering on the New Belgian aster is overfeeding the plant with nitrates. Excess nitrogen fertilizers leads to an uncontrolled growth of green mass and a complete absence of flowers.
Pests and diseases
New Belgian asters get sick quite often, especially in unfavorable weather conditions and in case of irregularities in care, such as excessive watering.Some diseases found on these plants:
- Fusarium. The causative agent of this fungal disease enters the plant from the soil through cracks in the roots. The disease can be recognized by longitudinal brown spots on the stem, especially in its lower part. The developing fungus completely clogs the aster's vascular system, it withers and dies. Treatment and prevention of fusarium disease consists of timely culling and destruction of diseased plants, and spraying neighboring plantings with preparations containing copper. The soil in the area intended for planting the New Belgian aster must be limed in a timely manner and spilled with boiling water. If fusarium has been identified, then the area where the infected plants grew is sprinkled with quicklime.
A plant infected with Fusarium must be dug up and burned.
- Blackleg. This disease is also caused by a soil fungus and primarily affects aster seedlings. When infected, the stem at the base turns black and simply rots, the plant dies. As preventive measures, early picking of seedlings, disinfection of planting containers, and spilling the soil with a solution of potassium permanganate are recommended.
Blackleg is especially dangerous for seedlings
- Rust. This fungal disease appears on the leaves in the form of rounded yellow spots, which are spore pads. Infected leaves must be torn off and burned, and the plants must be periodically treated with Bordeaux mixture.
Spore pads on leaves are a sign of rust
Among insects, the most dangerous pests of New Belgian asters are considered to be earwigs, which feed on various parts of the plant. If they are detected, the plantings must be treated with Fundazol.
An earwig nibbles young shoots and buds of asters
Conclusion
Aster novobelgium is the real queen of autumn. This versatile, beautiful and unpretentious plant is loved and appreciated by many gardeners. The New Belgian aster is used not only in landscape design, this plant is often used by florists to create various bouquets and flower arrangements; it stands up well when cut, maintaining freshness and beauty for up to 2 weeks.
