Astra "Novobelgiskaya": landing and care

In this article, we will dwell on the characteristics of the plant in more detail. Astra "Novobelgiskaya" is the most popular varieties and the specificity of their cultivation as an element of landscape design.

Astra Novobelgiskaya: description of the plant, varieties of varieties

aster new belgian photo

The Novobelgian aster belongs to the perennial family, as well as to the Asteraceae species. The plant grows, branching significantly in the form of bushes, the height of which can vary from 40 to 150 centimeters. The roots are quite creeping, they grow extremely quickly, and they also branch very strongly. The stems can be bare, or they can be covered with fine hairs, the leaves are oblong, arranged alternately, densely covering the stems. This variety of asters blooms, as a rule, with paniculate inflorescences, which consist of smaller inflorescences. They are baskets of a wide variety of colors. Moreover, the colors may not depend on the variety, because quite often there is a whole assortment in one package - from white to dark purple.

The diameter of the inflorescence is usually small, ranging from two to four centimeters, about 200 tubular flowers can open on one inflorescence, which makes the bloom of the New Belgian aster incredibly abundant and very beautiful. Often this type of aster is used for decoration in landscape design, but we will talk about this in the next part of our article.

If the "Novobelgiskaya" aster is planted in terry varieties, then on such plants the flowers are arranged in several rows at once and cover the yellow middle at the very initial stage of flowering of the plant. Then they gradually open, the central yellow flowers are exposed, giving the plant a very aesthetic appearance. As a rule, some asters of these varieties begin their flowering around the end of July, but still most of the New Belgian asters bloom in September. It is important to note that these are frost-resistant varieties, and the flowers and the leaf part can withstand frosts below five degrees, and this is a huge advantage over any other plants and flowers.

In September, the flowers of the Belgian country give out abundant flowering, thanks to the bright colors, a hat is formed on the bush, which also looks perfect as a decorative element of the site. Seeds are usually dark, oblong in shape, can form in tubular centers directly on the inflorescences. Each sunflower seed has a parachute made of fluff, with the help of which they scatter around the site as soon as windy weather sets in. Thus, asters can reproduce and grow in different areas.

There are several varieties of the New Belgian hundred, almost a hundred, and all thanks to modern breeders interested in this. Typically, you can ungroup species based on the size of the bushes. The most popular Novobelgian aster varieties:

-Nancy Ballard - this variety has larger inflorescences (about three centimeters in diameter), which are distinguished by a bright purple color. The bushes are quite powerful, their height is about one and a half meters. Flowering takes about one month;

- Astra New Belgian Sunset is a spreading bush, the height of which can reach 100-120 centimeters. Flowers have a bright crimson color, this variety blooms within 30-35 days;

- White Lady - the bush reaches a height of about a meter, sometimes a little more.Flowers correspond to the name - rather large, flawless white color. At the same time, the center contrasts with the petals - it is bright, yellow;

- Astra New Belgian Saturn - is a spreading bush, the height of which reaches one and a half meters. The flowers are large enough, have a pale blue color. Flowering lasts 25-30 days, which is generally the standard flowering time for such plants of this genus.

There are several popular varieties that are medium-sized. Their height is usually no more than one meter, flowers are semi-double lilac, blue and pink shades. The middle is usually yellow, like any aster, flowering begins in August and stops around September, and sometimes it can continue until November, it all depends solely on the variety. These include Amethyst, Oktoberfest, Ruth Ballard, New Belgian aster Marie Ballard. Their flowering lasts for 30-35 days, the flowers are very beautiful, neat, the bushes are also more decorated, in contrast to the tall spreading varieties of New Belgian asters.

There are also several dwarf varieties that are also very popular. This is due to the fact that they are very suitable for decorating flower beds and in general in landscape design. For example, the New Belgian aster Royal Beachwood Ravel is a bush about 70 centimeters high. The flowers of the plant are usually purple, with a bright red hue, and the flowering period lasts for 30-35 days. Jenny is a perennial New Belgian aster, the bush of which is usually no more than half a meter high. On it are small bright purple flowers. The flowering period is around September-October, but nevertheless this variety is not late. New Belgian aster henry blue is a bush no more than 60 centimeters high, you can see delicate lavender flowers on it. The middle in them is not yellow, but greenish, the flowering period begins in September and ends around November.

As we have already noted, the varieties of New Belgian asters are ideal for decoration and landscape design. We will devote the next part of this article to how these asters can be used in design, and why they are so much in demand today among gardeners and florists not only in our country, but all over the world, which is also important to designate.

Astra perennial Novobelgiskaya for landscape design

Since the bloom of New Belgian asters is distinguished by its special beauty and unusualness, this allows it to be used in a wide variety of options for decorating landscapes and a plot, flower beds, borders and hedges. Astra is good both as a single planting, and as part of the compositions, since the variety of its colors and shapes allows you to create many unique compositions that will really stand out and delight the eyes of the gardener and guests of his infield.

The plantings of New Belgian asters look very beautiful in plantings where their different varieties are located. They differ in shape, color characteristics, bushes height, and this becomes very noticeable when all flowers enter the flowering phase.

Aster bushes are often recommended to be planted as a hedge, and some gardeners even create sculptures from them. Such unusual decorations refresh the site, make it much livelier and more attractive, and sculptures can be formed at the expense of all types of plants - tall, medium-sized and, of course, small, dwarf ones. Plants such as nasturtium and marigolds, kosmeya and zinnia go incredibly well with New Belgian asters. In addition, they take root well with each other in the same area, the root systems do not interfere with each other's development at all, which is also an incredible advantage.

If we talk about undersized varieties, then usually gardeners prefer to plant them in pots, and also use them to decorate balconies, window sills and terraces with plantings. Aster "Novobelgiskaya" looks great in freshly cut bouquets. Florists really love to create compositions where the accents are recreated by asters, or the bouquets are made entirely of fresh asters in different sizes and shapes. In addition, it is worth noting that the flowers can stand in the water for about two weeks if you change the water in the vases daily, and also clean the lower part of the leaves so that the stem remains naked.

Astra new belgian planting and care in the open field

Of course, choosing the right planting site is essential to achieve beautiful, attractive flowers. The condition of the plant, good flowering and, of course, decorative appearance will depend on this. Astra, as a rule, quite a lot of space is required, since its roots grow very widely, and the bushes can also turn out to be voluminous, spreading. In addition, it is best to choose a well-lit area, since without sunlight the plant will simply stop blooming.

The place should be located in an area protected from gusty winds and drafts, which can damage, first of all, tall shrubs. It will be better if the gardener plants the plant on a low hillock, where there will be no excess accumulation of moisture, because moisture can lead to the fact that the root system begins to gradually rot, diseases will form, and the environment as a whole will be very attractive for various insects and pests that can also negatively affect the condition and appearance of the plant.

As for the soil, light, fertile soil is suitable for asters, which will be ventilated, easily permeable by water. At the same time, the acidity should be zero, because in such an environment asters grow much faster. If the soil is acidic, but the place is suitable, then some additives can help reduce the acidity. In this case, the most popular additive is dolomite flour, which can be purchased at any gardening store.

Asters are usually planted in the spring, and for this, a selected area is prepared in the fall - it is cleared of weeds, and all the necessary nutrients are dug up and added. It is best to add humus as well. In the spring, it is best to weed and dig up the area again, add superphosphate, potassium sulfate to the soil. These components will allow the soil to recover faster after the winter period, as well as prepare for the fact that new plants will soon be planted in it. Aster is best planted in May, for this plant this month is the most ideal option: there is no longer a threat of frost, the soil has already warmed up.

Asters are planted according to the following algorithm:

- several grooves are made in the prepared soil in advance

- you should pay attention to the optimal distance between the plants themselves, as well as between the rows. If the variety is undersized, then ideally 20 centimeters will be enough, and between the rows - 30 centimeters. If the variety is medium-sized, then there should be 3 centimeters between the plants, and half a meter between the rows. If we are talking about tall varieties of New Belgian asters, then there should be a distance of half a meter between them, and about 80 centimeters between the rows.

- the seedling should be very carefully placed in the grooves at the right distance, and then also carefully sprinkled with soil so as not to damage the root system. You can lightly tamp the soil around the planting with your hands.

- after the plant is planted, it must be watered abundantly. Water for irrigation should be at room temperature, plants simply cannot stand cold water.

This plant is quite unpretentious if we are talking about caring for it.Nevertheless, some agricultural rules should be followed if we are talking about planting and the subsequent care of the plant. Only in this case, the plant, feeling the care and attention from the gardener, will answer him exactly the same - luxurious flowering, abundant growth, which will delight the gardener even in the days of autumn bad weather.

Asters are very resistant to dry weather, but, as a rule, the flowering period in September just falls on rainy weather, so it is necessary to control watering, monitor its moderation and ensure that the root system does not become unnecessarily waterlogged, as this can lead to enough negative consequences. If the weather is extremely dry, then it is best to water abundantly, but not very often the water should be defended, heated to room temperature, this will be the most ideal option.

In the spring and autumn, it is recommended to feed the aster bushes with humus, but in limited quantities. In general, for the whole season it will be enough to feed the plant three times - with superphosphate, potassium sulfate, which we have already written about in this article. Usually, feeding is carried out 10-14 days after the asters are planted in open ground, also during the formation of buds and at the very initial stage of asters flowering.