Ezo Murasaki Aster ageratoides 'Asran'

Water

The Eurybia x herveyi, commonly known as the Asian Aster, should be watered deeply to ensure the roots receive enough moisture, averaging around 1 to 1.5 inches of water per week. During the growing season, check the soil moisture regularly; if the top inch feels dry, it's time to water. Reduce watering frequency as the plant becomes established, but ensure it gets extra water during dry spells. Be cautious not to overwater, as this can lead to root rot. A general rule is to provide the Asian Aster with about a gallon of water every week to ten days, adjusting as necessary for rainfall and temperature conditions.

Light

Eurybia x herveyi, or Asian Aster, thrives best in full sun to partial shade. An ideal spot would offer it at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day, but it can also tolerate light afternoon shade which can protect it from the intense heat in peak summer. Avoid deeply shaded areas as this can lead to poor blooming and a leggy growth habit.

Temperature

The Asian Aster prefers a temperate climate and can tolerate a temperature range from around 50 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. It should be protected from extreme cold, and frost as it can survive minimum temperatures down to about 20 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal growing conditions would be in an environment where the temperature is consistently within the 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit range.

Pruning

Pruning the Asian Aster involves cutting back the stems in late winter or early spring to promote bushier growth and better flowering. This typically means cutting the plant down to about 3 to 6 inches above the ground. Additionally, deadheading spent flowers during the blooming season encourages more blooms. The best time to prune for shaping is in the spring, just as new growth begins to appear.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Eurybia sylvicola 'Asran', commonly known as the Asian Aster, prefers a well-draining soil mix with a pH range of 5.8 to 6.5. To create an ideal soil mix for the Asian Aster, combine garden soil, compost, and perlite or sand in equal proportions to enhance drainage and fertility. Regular checks of soil pH should be conducted to maintain the optimal acidity levels for the plant's health and growth.

Repotting

Asian Aster should be repotted every two to three years to ensure it has enough space to grow and to replenish the soil's nutrients. It's best to repot in the early spring before new growth begins, using a slightly larger pot each time to accommodate root expansion and provide fresh, well-draining soil as described above.

Humidity & Misting

Asian Aster, being relatively versatile, does best in moderate humidity levels but is quite tolerant of variations in humidity. There is no need for specific humidity control measures for this plant, making it suitable for a wide range of outdoor environments as far as humidity is concerned.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Place Asian Aster in bright indirect light, ensure well-draining soil.

• Outdoor

  Plant in partial shade to full sun, in moist, rich soil.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

Aster ageratoides 'Asran', commonly known as Asran aster, begins its life cycle as a seed that germinates in the spring, requiring a period of cold stratification to break dormancy. Upon sprouting, the seedling establishes a root system and produces its first leaves, entering the vegetative growth phase where it develops a foliage mound. During the summer and into autumn, the Asran aster enters the flowering stage, producing numerous daisy-like flowers with purple to violet petals and yellow centers which are attractive to pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into seed heads, which release seeds in late autumn to early winter, completing its reproductive cycle. Throughout the winter, the plant may go dormant, especially in colder climates, where top growth dies back and the plant survives underground through its rhizomes. In the following spring, the plant resumes growth from the rhizomes, beginning a new life cycle.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Late summer to early autumn

• Aster ageratoides 'Asran', commonly known as the 'Asran' aster, can most effectively be propagated through division, a method that is advantageous for its simplicity and effectiveness. The best time to propagate 'Asran' aster by division is in the spring, when the plant begins to show new growth. To carry out division, one should carefully dig up the entire clump of the aster once the danger of frost has passed and the soil can be worked. The clump should then be gently separated into smaller sections using hands or a sharp knife, ensuring that each section contains both roots and shoots. These newly divided sections can be immediately replanted in well-prepared soil, spaced approximately 18 inches (about 45 centimeters) apart, to allow room for growth. Water the new plantings thoroughly to help establish them. This method of division allows gardeners to increase their stock of 'Asran' asters rapidly and maintain the health and vigor of their plants by reducing overcrowding.