Content
Jenny's shrub aster is a compact plant with a huge number of small double flowers of a bright crimson color. It harmoniously fits into any garden, looks good against the backdrop of a green lawn or in combination with other flowers. Astra Jenny does not require any special conditions, so any gardener can grow her.
Jenny's bush aster description
Aster Jenny is a beautiful perennial shrub with bright red flowers. In height it reaches 40-50 cm, the culture is quite compact and does not require special pruning. The shape is spherical, which allows it to be successfully used as a ground cover plant in compositions with other flowers. The leaves are dark green, small, with pointed tips. Stems are erect, well branched and grow.
Prefers open, well-lit areas. It can grow in a little partial shade from trees, shrubs or buildings. Differs in high winter hardiness, which allows you to grow the bush in different regions, including Siberia and the Urals.
Flowering features
Astra Jenny is a perennial culture. It begins to bloom from the end of August and continues to delight the eye until October, until the onset of the first frost. Flowers are bright red, with a yellow center, double. In diameter they reach 5-8 cm, due to their large numbers they look especially beautiful. They completely cover the bush and contrast well against the dark green foliage.
Jenny's aster flowers look great thanks to their bright shades and an attractive yellow core.
Breeding features
Jenny's aster, like other shrub crops, can be propagated in different ways:
- seeds;
- layering;
- cuttings;
- dividing the bush.
One of the easiest ways is grafting. Green shoots 10-15 cm long (with 2-3 buds) are cut in May. The lower leaves must be removed. The cuttings are kept in a solution of Kornevin or other growth stimulants. After that, it is planted in open ground and watered abundantly. Caring for him is carried out according to the same rules as for an adult Jenny aster bush.
Final rooting is observed in 1-1.5 months. At this point, the cuttings can be transplanted to a new place, observing an interval of 30-40 cm.
To do this, they are covered with a film at night. This is especially important for the regions of the Urals and Siberia.
Application in landscape design
Despite the fact that the very flowering of Jenny's aster begins closer to September, the bush is able to decorate the flower garden with greenery. The plant is compact in size and miniature in shape. It is often used in single plantings, on alpine slides, in flower beds and in compositions with stunted hosts.
Jenny aster bushes look good in single plantings
The plant is planted in outdoor pots and placed on the veranda or terrace
Jenny's variety looks great against ferns and other bright green perennials.
Planting and caring for Jenny's shrub aster
Astra Jenny is a very unpretentious plant. It takes root well in the first season.The main condition is not to overmoisten the soil and plant the bushes in a well-lit place.
Timing
You can plant Jenny's aster in spring or autumn. But the optimal time is considered the end of April - the beginning of May. At this time, the snow melts completely, the soil has time to warm up a little, and the frosts recede. In the south, aster can be planted in mid-April.
Site selection and soil preparation
Astra Jenny prefers fairly light and fertile soil. It can grow on depleted soil, but in this case, regular fertilizing will be required. The main requirement is that the soil should not be too moist. Therefore, landing in the lowlands is excluded. And if groundwater comes close to the surface, the planting holes must be drained with small stones.
Also, when choosing a place, it is important to pay attention to its illumination. If the site is in constant shade, Jenny's aster will practically stop blooming.
Landing algorithm
Flowering plants need special attention. Incorrect actions during planting can lead to the death of the crop. Algorithm of work execution:
- Clean and dig the area to a shallow depth.
- Dig small holes at intervals of 30-40 cm.
- Drain them with small stones.
- Mix compost and garden soil in a 2: 1 ratio. Add 200 g of superphosphate and 60 g of potassium salt, mix. Distribute the resulting soil over the pits, root the seedlings and dig in. Water liberally and mulch roots.
Watering and feeding
Astra Jenny does not need special care. This is one of the most unpretentious flowering plants. The only condition for the normal development of asters is moderate moisture. Over-watering the roots of the plant will start to rot, which can lead to the death of the entire flower.
The optimal humidification regime is 3-4 times in July and August, and in the remaining months - 1-2 times
You can feed the aster 3-4 times per season:
- in early April, nitrogen fertilizer is applied;
- in June and July - superphosphates and potassium sulfide;
- For lush bloom, the crop can be sustained by fertilizing Jenny's Aster one last time in mid-August.
Weeding, loosening, mulching
Weeding is carried out as needed. You need to monitor the presence of weeds regularly ¸ especially if young seedlings of Jenny aster are growing on the site. It is necessary to loosen the soil at least 3-4 times per season, immediately after applying top dressing. Then the nutrients will quickly get to the roots, and from them - to the whole plant.
Pruning
There are several types of Jenny's aster trim:
- formative - removal of shoots that clearly protrude beyond the edges of the contour. Usually the bush is shaped into a hemisphere, and the excess branches are cut off. It is advisable to do this in the fall;
- sanitary - removal of all damaged and dried branches. Such a haircut is carried out in March or in the first decade of April, before the start of active sap flow;
- rejuvenating - shortening of all shoots by 2/3 of the length to stimulate the active growth of new branches. This haircut can also be done in early spring, but not more often than once every 3-4 years.
Preparing for winter
Aster Jenny, like other varieties of shrub asters, tolerates frost well. Therefore, it does not need special preparation for the winter period. It is enough to feed the last time in mid-August, then water the plants abundantly at the end of September. After that, you can mulch the roots with any available material - spruce branches, peat, straw.
Pests and diseases
Astra Jenny is distinguished by good resistance to both diseases and pests. However, it can be affected by gray mold or powdery mildew infections due to improper care. The main risk is considered to be waterlogging of the soil. Therefore, summer residents are always advised to follow the general rule: it is better to underfill than to overfill.
If signs of fungal infection appear, Jenny's aster must be treated with fungicides.
You can use Bordeaux liquid, Topaz, Tattu, Maxim and other products
Spraying is best done in calm and clear weather in the late evening.
Conclusion
Jenny's shrub aster is a good garden decoration option when you want to see miniature bushes with bright flowers in the flower bed. Due to its winter hardiness, this plant can be bred in almost any region of Russia.
