Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Aster amellus or Italian Aster

The genus Aster, family Asteraceae, comprises 600 species of perennial or annual plants native to Asia, Europe, and North America. Some species are: Aster amellus, Aster alpinus, Aster novi-belgii, Aster squamatus, Aster cordifolius, Aster novae-angliae, Aster tataricus.

Common names: Italian Aster, European Michaelmas daisy. This species is native to Europe and Central Asia.

They are herbaceous perennial plants with an erect bearing and fine reddish and hairy stems that reach 70 cm (2.29 feet) in height. The leaves are dark green, ovate-lanceolate in shape and alternate in arrangement. The attractive radial flowers (up to 6 cm/2.36" in diameter) have a yellow center and petals of various colors: blue, violet, white or lilac. They bloom in late summer and early fall.

Due to their abundant flowering, they are used in pots and gardens for borders, rockeries and also for floral decorations.

Aster amellus needs full or half-sun exposure. They resist cold and frost well.

The soil has to be light, well drained and contain organic matter. Transplanting or planting is done in spring.

Water abundantly (without watering) so that the soil is always wet.

Fertilize with manure or compost in spring and with mineral fertilizer every 15 days in spring and summer.

Prune slightly after flowering to favor flowering the following year.

They can be attacked by aphids and fungi (rust and powdery mildew).

They propagate by division in spring or autumn or by seeds sown in spring in glass covered seedbeds.

Images of the plant Aster amellus or Italian Aster