Gone Gardenin’: Alpine aster is perfect for spring

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 06/04/2017 (3199 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As we head into April we are eagerly anticipating the blooms of early flowering perennials in our gardens. We would not expect the members of the aster family to bloom in the spring because we traditionally connect asters to autumn and expect asters to come into bloom in our fall gardens.

However, there is a member of the aster family that begins to bloom in May and blooms into July, and that is the alpine aster. This native of European mountainous regions, such as the Alps, is a wonderful perennial to add color to the spring garden.

Alpine asters are not big plants — they form a basal clump of foliage that is only about 15-centimetres (cm) high and then the plants send up flower stems that get to a height of about 40 cm. The leaves are narrow and dark green in colour; there are a few widely spaced leaves on the flower stems but most of the foliage is confined to the base of the plant.

Each flowering stem produces one flower. The flowers are daisy-like, with blue-violet rays — the shade depends on the variety — and bright yellow centers.

Alpine asters are clump forming and over time a plant will develop into a clump that is 60-cm wide. The size of the clump can be reduced by pruning right after the plants have finished flowering.

Because alpine asters are native to the alpine regions of Europe, they prefer a light, sandy soil and although they will grow in a heavy clay soil, this would not be their first choice.

They like the soil to be well drained just like the mountain slopes on which they grow in nature. They are not heavy feeders and soil with ordinary fertility will keep alpine asters quite happy.

They are also drought resistant pants and except in a very dry spring will not require supplemental water. They are a deciduous herbaceous perennial, although I find that quite a lot of the plant remains alive over the winter and leafs out in the spring.

This ability of much of the top growth to survive the winter can lead to rangy and spreading clumps that some might find untidy. Judicious spring pruning will confine the growth to the desired size. They are said to self seed — mine never has.

Alpine asters are ideal rock garden plants. Because of their short stature and their clump forming growth habit, they are right at home in a rock garden accompanied by other short plants like dwarf dianthus such as ‘Flashing Lights’, creeping Jenny and thyme. The foliage stays green all summer and into the fall so although there will not be bloom all summer, the foliage is not unattractive.

Although I appreciate such lovely flowers in the late spring garden, I grow alpine asters mainly for cutting. Our local horticultural society’s spring flower and peony show is held the very end of June and alpine aster blooms are perfect for creating flower designs for the show.

Since the plants begin to bloom long before the show, I cut them just after they have opened and refrigerate them. They will keep this way for weeks and when show time arrives, I take them out of the refrigerator and they are in perfect shape to use in arrangements. They have a long vase life.

The stems of alpine asters are sturdy and easy to arrange and the daisy-like flowers create effective floral displays. They combine well with lady’s mantle, which is a great filler, its yellow flowers echoing the color of the yellow centers of the aster blooms.

Alpine asters are tough plants and I never offer them any winter protection. They are grown in full sun — mine receive a bit of afternoon shade which tends to reduce the amount of bloom I get from the plants.

They are easy-care plants and seem to experience no insect or disease issues in my garden. Because they are short plants, they don’t require support; they just pretty much look after themselves.

If you want a delightful blue flower for your spring and early summer garden, look no further than the alpine aster. You will be pleased with the performance of this wonderful plant.

Albert Parsons lives, writes, and gardens in Minnedosa.

» wtw@brandonsun.com

Republished from the Brandon Sun print edition April 6, 2017