Heath Aster, A Fall Favorite

Heath Aster, A Fall Favorite

    The current buzz around the bee colony is that the heath aster is in bloom!  These United States native plants start blooming in late September(here in Delaware) and persist until the beginning of November; possibly later if it remains warm.  At the peak flowering period, typically mid-October, the flowers engulf the planting and look like a heavy frost or light snow.  This blooming display is eye appealing and very important as a late food source for bees and other nectar loving insects. 

    Though the majority of the growing season the heath aster is green it is always teeming with activity, from white-throated sparrows scratching for seeds, hummingbirds perching momentarily before heading to the next flower, tree frogs singing, to the occasional praying mantis seeking out it's next victim.  I am not sure whether the animals love the dense cover, slight aromatic fragrance of the foliage, or the food source more... but either way it is home.

    As, an avid nature lover I kept volunteer plants growing next to our packaging building for the bees and butterflies.  Eventually, as the picture shows, they have fully covered the hillside(trust me there is a small hill under there).  They help eliminate erosion on the hillside and keep weeds from growing.  A win-win situation.  This planting is a decade in the making, so they are slow growing, but once established they will persist for years of enjoyment.

    The heath aster is a new addition to our lineup.  We are offering two year old bare root plants this fall.  To alleviate stress and ensure freshness these plants will be dug after order placement.  In the spring we will offer landscape plugs and 4.5" pots.  All areas in the United States can plant bareroot asters like these until the end of November.  In the spring potted plants and landscape plugs can be planted after all chances of a heavy frost are gone.  No matter when you desire to plant these asters the fun creatures of nature will thank you later!

Happy Gardening,

David Burton
(owner/operator)

 

    To view more information or purchase plants: Heath Aster

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