Description
The Italian aster is a perennial of the aster family (Asteraceae). It comes from Central Europe – it also grows in Poland – the Caucasus and Western Asia. The stems are 40–80 cm tall, straight, stiff and sparsely branched. The lower leaves are spoon-shaped, the upper ones lance-shaped and stalkless. The stems and leaves are covered with short hairs.
The Italian aster flowers from July to mid-October. The ray florets are violet, and in cultivars also blue in various shades, white, pink and red. The flower heads are 3–5 cm across.
It is suitable for borders and as a cut flower. It is long-lived but grows slowly.
Requirements
It needs fertile, light, chalky soil and a sunny position.
Propagation
Well-grown plants are propagated by division in spring. They can also be propagated in spring from semi-ripe cuttings. Plant at a spacing of 30 x 30–40 cm.
Care
Water the plants during droughts; they also need feeding. It is planted in perennial borders and is also suitable for groups in front of low ornamental shrubs.
The plants can stay in one place for 6–10 years, but after 3–5 years the flower heads become smaller and the plant is less decorative.