Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Aster alpinus

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Kingdom
  
Plantae

Family
  
Compositae

Genus
  
Aster

Higher classification
  
Aster

Order
  
Asterales

Tribe
  
Astereae

Scientific name
  
Aster alpinus

Rank
  
Species

Aster alpinus Aster alpinus Wikipedia

Similar
  
Aster, Aster amellus, Symphyotrichum novi‑belgii, Symphyotrichum novae‑angliae, Symphyotrichum dumosum

Aster alpinus (Alpine aster) is an ornamental plant native to the mountains of Europe (including the Alps), with a subspecies native to Canada and the United States. It is a perennial forb having purple, pink or blue flowers belonging to the genus Aster.

Contents

Description

Aster alpinus wwwlaporteavenuenurserycomassetsimagespAster

It grows to be about 6–12 inches (15–30 cm). The bloom color may be pink, violet-lavender, dark purple-black, or white-near white and may bloom in late spring or early summer or, occasionally, midsummer. In the UK this plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Growth

Aster alpinus FileAster alpinus 001JPG Wikimedia Commons

It grows very slowly in clay, silt, loam, silty clay, sandy clay etc. types of soil. Its minimum pH scale is 6 and maximum pH scale is 7.5. It grows erectly in a 'single crown' form.

Ecology

Aster alpinus Aster Seed Aster Alpinus Blue Flower Seeds

It does better in generally cooler climates. Usually it is adapted to clay, silt, loam, silty clay, sandy clay, clay loam, silt loam, sandy loam, silty clay loam and sandy clay loam soils, and prefers low fertility. The plant can tolerate only a minimum temperature of -28°C / -18.4F after the occurrence of cell damage. It can survive medium heat of fire and requires at least 90 frost free days for proper growth. It is herbaceous and attractive to bees, butterflies, and birds.

Conservation

Aster alpinus Aster Alpinus

In Canadian provinces, towards eastern North America, the species is critically imperiled. However, in both Canadian provinces and US states, at north-western and southern parts, the species is apparently secure.

References

Aster alpinus Wikipedia