Aster puniceus
| Aster puniceus | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 2 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Self Pollinated | |
| Height: | 4' |
| Width: | 3' |
| Blooms: | Early Fall-Mid Fall |
| Native to: | |
| Shelter | |
| Medicinal Rating: | |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Aster puniceus (common name: purplestem aster)
Propagation: Seed - surface sow in spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to become dry. Pre-chilling the seed for two weeks can improve germination rates[1]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks at 20°c[1]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer.
Division in spring or autumn[2]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whist smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.
Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.
Cultivation: Succeeds in most good garden soils[3], preferring one that is well-drained and moisture retentive[2]. Prefers a sunny position[2], but it also succeeds in partial shade[4]. Prefers a rich soil[3], but tolerates poor ones[4].
Plants are hardy to about -25°c[5].
The crushed plant has a smell like juniper berries[6].
Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[2].
Plants need to be divided every few years, preferably in the spring, in order to keep the plant vigorous[5].
Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[4].
Attracts butterflies and moths, it is also a good bee plant providing nectar in autumn[7].
Range: Eastern N. America. Naturalized in several sites in northern Britain[8].
Medicinal: The roots are diaphoretic, emmenagogue and febrifuge[6]. A decoction has been used in the treatment of colds, consumption, typhoid, pneumonia and fevers[6]. A decoction has been used to promote menstruation - this can lead to an abortion[6]. The decoction has also been used to restore a woman to health after giving birth[6]. The chewed root has been applied to an aching tooth to allay the pain[6].
Pollinators: Bees, flies, beetles, lepidoptera, self
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Also Known As: A. hispidus. Lam.
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Rice, Graham. Growing from Seed Volume 2. Thompson and Morgan, 1988.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 6.4 6.5 Moerman, Daniel. Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press, 1998.
- ↑ Carter, David. Butterflies and Moths in Britain and Europe. Pan, 1982.
- ↑ Clapham, Arthur and Tom Tootin, Edmund Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press, 1962.