Frikart's Aster Aster × frikartii 'Jungfrau'
ABOUT
Aster × frikartii 'Jungfrau', commonly known as Frikart's Aster, is a perennial flower distinguished by its vibrant blooms and lush foliage. This plant typically bears striking flowers that have a daisy-like appearance with a prominent central disc surrounded by slender petals. The petals are a delicate lavender-blue shade, giving the plant a cool and soothing presence in the garden. The central disc of the flower, which contains the reproductive structures, often displays a yellow to orange hue, providing a vibrant contrast with the blue petals. These blooms cluster atop sturdy, branching stems that emerge from a base of green foliage. The leaves of Frikart's Aster are generally lance-shaped with a slightly rough texture. They are deep green in color and arranged alternately along the stems, providing a dense and leafy backdrop that accentuates the beauty of the flowers. This cultivar tends to form clumps, creating a robust and bushy appearance that can add texture and volume to garden beds and borders. The showy nature of its blossoms makes it a popular choice for cut flower arrangements and attracts pollinators such as butterflies to the garden. Overall, Frikart's Aster 'Jungfrau' is admired for its ornamental value, bringing a splash of color and liveliness to the landscape through its flowers and dense foliage.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Asteraceae.
Synonyms
Frikart's Aster, Jungfrau Aster.
Common names
Aster × frikartii 'Jungfrau'.
ToxicityTo humans
The plant commonly known as Frikart's Aster is not known to be toxic to humans. There are no well-documented symptoms of poisoning from ingesting any part of this plant as it is generally considered safe around people.
To pets
Frikart's Aster is also not known to be toxic to pets. There are no established symptoms of poisoning for animals such as dogs and cats from the ingestion of parts of this plant. It is usually considered non-toxic to household pets.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
Lavender
Height
2 feet (60 cm)
Spread
2 feet (60 cm)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5
Native area
Hybrid
Benefits
General Benefits- Attracts Pollinators - This plant is known to attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, which is valuable for pollination.
- Long-Blooming Period - Frikart's aster has a long flowering period from midsummer to autumn, providing extended color in the garden.
- Drought Tolerance - Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, requiring less watering than some garden plants.
- Low Maintenance - It requires minimal care once established, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Color Variety - Brings a splash of color with its vibrant blue-violet flowers, enhancing the aesthetic appeal of any garden space.
- Herbaceous Border - Ideal for use in herbaceous borders, providing structure and color contrast.
- Cottage Garden Appeal - The plant's traditional appearance is perfect for creating or complementing a cottage garden style.
- Easy Propagation - It can be easily propagated from cuttings or division, making it simple to create more plants for use in other areas of the garden or to share with friends.
- Resistance to Deer - It’s generally resistant to deer, which can be an important consideration in areas where deer browsing is a problem.
- Hardiness - It is hardy in a range of climates, which means it can thrive in many different garden environments.
Medical PropertiesThis plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Aster × frikartii 'Jungfrau', commonly known as Frikart's aster, can be used as a natural dye source; the petals contain pigments that may produce varying colors on textiles.
- In the language of flowers, Frikart's aster can be used to symbolize patience and elegance. A bouquet containing this plant might be gifted to convey these sentiments.
- It can be employed in art and photography for its aesthetic appeal due to its vibrant and photogenic blooms, making it an ideal subject for botanical illustrations.
- Frikart's aster can be used in educational settings as an example in botany classes when teaching topics such as hybridization and plant breeding.
- This plant can be used as a companion plant in gardens to attract beneficial insects like bees and butterflies, which help pollinate nearby plants.
- It's used in creating perfumes and scents, as certain components of the plant might be extracted to produce fragrances.
- Frikart's aster can be used for creating natural potpourris; its dried petals contribute visual beauty and a subtle scent to a mixture of dried flowers and spices.
- The striking appearance of Asters can be used as an inspiration in interior design and fashion, influencing patterns and color palettes.
- This plant can be used for crafting and decoration since dried flowers retain color and shape, making them suitable for creating wreaths and floral arrangements.
- Frikart's aster can be a part of cultural and ceremonial events where flowers play a significant role, such as being used for celebration decorations or in wedding ceremonies.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe Frikart's aster is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe Frikart's aster is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Patience: Similar to many other aster varieties, Aster × frikartii 'Jungfrau', commonly known as Frikart's aster, symbolizes patience due to its late bloom in the season, reminding us to wait patiently for good things to come.
- Elegance: The Frikart's aster's neat and dainty appearance is associated with elegance, showcasing a sense of grace and refinement in its form and poise.
- Wisdom: Asters of all kinds are often linked with wisdom. This symbolism comes from the plant's starlike flowers, which can suggest the pursuit of enlightenment or the attainment of knowledge.
- Daintiness: The delicate petals and charming form of the Frikart's aster convey a message of daintiness, embodying beauty in a subtle and understated way.
- Variety: As a perennial with various colors, Frikart's aster represents diversity and the idea that there is beauty in a mix of different attributes and characteristics.
- Love of Variety: Owing to its diversity in color and form, this plant suggests a love for varied experiences and an appreciation for the broad spectrum of what life offers.
- Charm: The Frikart's aster exudes a natural charm that can symbolize enchantment, often used in gardens to attract positive vibes and as a gesture of admiration when given as a gift.
WaterFrikart's Aster should be watered deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to slightly dry out between waterings. Typically, this means watering it once a week, with about 1 to 1.5 gallons per plant for established plants, depending on the weather conditions and the soil type. During hot, dry spells or when newly planted, you may need to water more frequently to keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Reduce the amount of water in the fall as the plant prepares for dormancy.
LightFrikart's Aster thrives in full sun, meaning it requires at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day. The best spot for this plant would be in an area that gets unfiltered sunlight for most of the day. Partial shade is tolerated, but too much shade can result in fewer flowers and a leggier plant.
TemperatureFrikart's Aster prefers a temperature range between 50°F and 75°F for optimal growth, but it can survive in temperatures as low as 20°F and as high as 80°F. It is important to protect the plant from extreme cold by providing mulch or cover if temperatures are expected to dip below the minimum range.
PruningPruning Frikart's Aster is essential for maintaining plant health, encouraging bushy growth, and enhancing flowering. Trim back the plant by one-third in early summer to promote a more compact shape and to prevent flopping. After the first frost in fall, cut the plant back to a few inches above ground level to prepare it for winter.
CleaningAs needed
SoilFrikart's Aster 'Jungfrau' thrives in a well-draining soil mix that is rich in organic matter. A mix of loam, peat, and sand can provide the right texture and nutrients. Its soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ideally between 6.0 and 7.5.
RepottingFrikart's Aster 'Jungfrau' typically does not require frequent repotting and can often be left undisturbed for several years. It should be repotted only when it has outgrown its current container or if the soil has degraded, which is generally every 2 to 3 years.
Humidity & MistingFrikart's Aster 'Jungfrau' is versatile and tolerates a range of humidity levels well but prefers average ambient humidity, without the need for any special humidity requirements. It is relatively adaptable to typical outdoor humidity conditions.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Place Frikart's Aster 'Jungfrau' in bright indirect light and ensure good air circulation.
Outdoor
Plant Frikart's Aster 'Jungfrau' in partial sun, shelter from strong winds.
Hardiness zone
5-9 USDA
Life cycleThe life of Aster × frikartii 'Jungfrau', commonly known as Frikart's Aster, begins with seed germination, which occurs in warm, moist soil conditions typically in the spring. The plant then enters a vegetative stage, where it develops a rosette of leaves at the soil surface and an extensive root system. As it matures, it will form sturdy, upright stems and begin to produce flower buds by midsummer. Frikart's Aster then blooms from late summer into fall, showcasing its signature lavender-blue daisy-like flowers with yellow centers, attracting pollinators such as bees and butterflies. After flowering, the plant sets seed which can be dispersed by wind or wildlife, completing its reproductive cycle. In winter, the plant dies back to the ground in colder climates, but its root system remains alive, allowing it to regrow and enter the next growing season; in milder regions, it may retain some foliage year-round.
PropogationPropogation time
Late summer
The most popular method of propagating Frikart's Aster, Aster × frikartii 'Jungfrau', is through division. This should be done in the early spring or after the flowering period in the fall. To propagate by division, carefully lift the mature plant from the ground with a spade, ensuring a generous amount of root and soil is kept intact. The clump should then be divided into smaller sections, each with a good amount of roots and several shoots. Replant the divided sections at the same depth they were previously growing, spacing them about 12 to 18 inches (30 to 45 centimeters) apart to allow ample room for growth. Water the new plantings thoroughly to help establish them. This method rejuvenates older plants, helps to control size, and increases the number of plants in your garden.
