The cushion aster or autumn aster (bot. Aster dumosus) bears its name for good reason: between early September - although some varieties flower as early as August - and November, the low-growing, cushion-forming perennial shows its lush flowers. The uncomplicated plant also impresses with its wealth of varieties and can therefore not only be found in many ornamental gardens and front gardens, but also in public gardens and parks.

As its name suggests, the autumn aster flowers in autumn

Table of Contents

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  1. origin and distribution
  2. use
  3. appearance and growth
  4. leaves
  5. flowering and flowering time
  6. toxicity
  7. location and soil
  8. Prefer
  9. Plant cushion asters correctly
  10. watering cushion aster
  11. Fertilize cushion aster properly
  12. Cut cushion aster correctly
  13. Multiply cushion aster
  14. hibernate
  15. diseases and pests
  16. species and varieties

    17. origin and distribution

    The cushion aster (bot. Aster dumosus) originally comes from North America, where the plant, which belongs to the daisy family (Asteraceae), is still widespread in its wild form today. However, the wild species cannot be found in our ornamental gardens. Instead, mainly hybrids between Aster dumosus and Aster novi-belgii are planted, some of which are assigned to the smooth-leaf asters (Aster novi-belgii) by British botanists.

    use

    Cushion asters can be used for many purposes in the garden. The vigorous plant is primarily used for beds, borders and borders in sunny locations, but the late-blooming perennial is also popular in rock gardens. Furthermore, it is one of the typical grave plants, as it quickly forms dense carpets and is great for attractively growing larger areas. Cushion asters look particularly pretty in combination with tall autumn asters and together with perennials and grasses such as angel hair (bot. Stipa tenuissima) and red-brown switchgrass (bot. Panicum virgatum).

    appearance and growth

    The different varieties of the vigorous perennial reach a height of between 20 and 60 centimeters and grow quickly, densely and compactly. The cushion aster spreads in dense mats via its rhizomes, which is why it is very well suited for greening larger areas. The plant is considered to be very prolific, since even the smallest pieces of root grow back into new plants. For this reason, larger plantings are difficult to remove, as even years later, new cushion asters can still sprout from the old location.

    leaves

    The lanceolate-shaped, pointed leaves of the cushion aster can be between two and six inches long and typically have a smooth edge. However, there are also varieties with serrated leaves. Healthy foliage has a strong dark green color.

    flowering and flowering time

    The botanical name of the cushion aster is derived from the Latin word "astrum", which means "star". In fact, the flowers, which are about two to five centimeters in size, are very similar to small stars: numerous elongated, radiating petals radiate from the often yellow center of the flower, which shine in a wide variety of shades from violet, blue, pink, crimson to white. The very numerous flowers often form a dense carpet during the autumn flowering period, which late in the year - most varieties bloom between August and October - makes the garden shine. With good care and the right weather, the flowers can still be admired in November.

    toxicity

    Like other garden aster species - with the exception of the poisonous chrysanthemums - cushion asters are completely harmless to both humans and animals. On the contrary: the colorful flowers are even edible and can be used to decorate desserts and salads, for example.

    location and soil

    Plant the cushion asters in as full sun as possible and protected from the wind. In principle, the perennials also thrive in bright, semi-shady places, but there they form fewer flowers and are more susceptible to diseases. The ideal soil is fresh but not wet (never plant cushion asters in depressions, as this is where the water collects!), also loose and nutrient-rich. A humus-rich to sandy-loamy subsoil is ideal, but it must be well drained. However, you can loosen up heavy, loamy soil with gravel and humus soil.

    Prefer

    You don't have to buy cushion asters as ready-made plants, you can also grow them yourself from seeds. You should sow the fine seeds in early spring in a bowl filled with potting soil or in small pots. Keep them warm and bright at around 18 to 21°C and keep the substrate slightly moist. Since high humidity promotes germination, stretch a translucent film or something similar over the cultivation vessel. The seeds germinate after about two to three weeks and then develop very quickly into strong young plants. However, these should only be placed in the bed after the late frosts, as they are still quite sensitive.

    Plant cushion asters correctly

    For the desired carpet-like growth, you should plan about three to four plants per square meter, as the optimal planting distance is about 50 to 60 centimeters. Whether you want to plant different colors together or create a bed of the same color is entirely up to you. With regard to the planting date, you can basically plant cushion asters all year round, provided that the weather is mild and the ground is not frozen. This is possible because the perennials are mostly sold in containers or pots. However, it is best to put the plants in the ground in late spring - after the ice saints - or in early autumn.

    The planting depth should roughly correspond to the depth of the pot, because the plants must not be planted deeper in the garden soil than they were in the planter before. Enrich the excavation with mature compost / compost soil and cover the planting area generously with bark mulch. This not only provides additional nutrients through the rotting process, but also prevents the soil from drying out quickly on dry and/or hot days. Do not forget to water the cushion asters vigorously after planting!

    watering cushion aster

    Cushion asters like it slightly damp, but not wet. Therefore, you should ensure an adequate water supply, especially on dry soil and in hot weather. The soil should not dry out, but waterlogging should not form either - the popular perennials do not like either of these things very much. Always water directly on the ground, never from above and over the leaves - this favors the development of powdery mildew, a fungal disease typical of asters.

    Fertilize cushion aster properly

    Fertilize the cushion asters twice a year with mature compost and horn shavings.(32.93€) The first time you should feed the plants with the shoots in the spring, the second time after flowering. Alternatively, you can also use a complete fertilizer for flowering plants for garden plants. Potted plants cannot be supplied with organic nutrients anyway due to the lack of microorganisms in the soil.

    Cut cushion aster correctly

    In order for cushion asters to flower luxuriantly for a long time, you have to cut them back regularly - the perennials tend to age. To do this, regularly remove dead plant parts and faded shoots, and cut the plants back completely before the first frost. Alternatively, pruning is also possible in spring, which offers the advantage of better winter hardiness: Cushion asters that are not pruned in autumn usually tolerate sub-zero temperatures better.
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    Multiply cushion aster

    You should dig up and divide the cushion asters about every two to three years. This promotes dense and bushy growth, as the perennials only develop new shoots sporadically after a while. Otherwise, you do not have to worry too much about propagation, because Aster dumosus itself provides lush offspring with numerous root shoots. It is best to divide in spring or early autumn. The plants are then to be used separately at a new location.

    hibernate

    In principle, cushion asters are hardy, but you should cover young, still sensitive plants with a layer of bark mulch or spruce or fir branches during the cold season. This also applies to specimens cut back in autumn. Remove the cover in good time in spring so that the plants can sprout again. Now is also the right time for a start fertilization.

    diseases and pests

    Basically, cushion asters are quite resistant to pests and diseases. However, fungal diseases such as powdery mildew and aster wilt occur more frequently in damp to wet and/or dark locations. With both diseases, you should remove infected parts of the plant and dispose of them with household waste. In addition, watering and spraying with a field horsetail broth you have made yourself helps to prevent fungal diseases or to suppress them in their early stages. If, on the other hand, the stock can no longer be saved, you should no longer plant cushion asters at this location.

    tips

    Cushion asters also make very pretty cut flowers in a vase, especially in a mixed bouquet with other species.

    species and varieties

    The genus of asters includes about 150 different species, which are mainly widespread in Europe and Asia. The cushion aster, also known as autumn aster or bushy autumn aster, which is very popular in many ornamental gardens due to its vigor and the numerous cup-shaped flowers, convinces with its immense variety of varieties. You can choose between varieties of the species and hybrid forms. We present some of the most beautiful varieties for the home garden here.

    • 'Apollo': growth height up to 40 centimetres, initially white flowers which fade to pink
    • 'Augenweide': growth height of up to 30 centimetres, dark violet flowers, very vigorous and perennial hybrid form
    • 'Blue Lagoon': growth height of up to 50 centimetres, dark violet-blue flowers with a yellow centre
    • 'Granat': growth height up to 30 centimetres, pink-red flowers with a yellow centre
    • 'Heinz Richard': growth height up to 30 centimetres, bright pink flowers with a yellow centre
    • 'Herbstgruß vom Bresserhof': growth height of up to 50 centimetres, pink-white flowers with a yellow centre
    • 'Jenny': growth height of up to 50 centimetres, strong crimson flowers with a yellow centre
    • 'Kristina': growth height of up to 30 centimetres, pure white flowers with a yellow centre
    • 'Mediterranean': growth height of up to 40 centimetres, strong blue to blue-violet flowers
    • 'Nesthäkchen': low growth, crimson flowers
    • 'Kassel': growth height of up to 40 centimetres, bright red flowers with a yellow centre, very vigorous and perennial hybrid form
    • 'Peter Harrison': growth height of up to 40 centimetres, bright pink flowers with a yellow centre
    • 'Prof. Anton Kippenberg': growth height up to 40 centimetres, blue-violet flowers
    • 'Sapphire': growth height up to 40 centimetres, violet-blue flowers with a yellow centre
    • 'Schneekissen': growth height up to 30 centimetres, white flowers
    • 'Starlight': growth height up to 40 centimetres, purple-pink flowers with a yellow centre
    • 'Zwergenhimmel': growth height up to 40 centimetres, light purple flowers with a yellow centre

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Herbs