Aster alpinus aka Alpine Aster
Taxonomy
Aster alpinus, also known as the alpine aster or blue alpine daisy, is a clump-forming perennial that belongs to the family Asteraceae. Native to the mountains of Europe, including the Alps and Pyrenees, as well as Canada and the United States, this herbaceous perennial grows to a height of about 25cm. It has narrow, oblong to lance-shaped mid-green leaves and daisy-like flowerheads. The flowers, which bloom in summer, come in shades of purple, pink, or blue, with deep, rose-pink ray petals and a yellow center. The solitary flowers appear at the ends of slender stems. The dark green leaves, mostly basal, are lanceolate-spatulate and toothless, reaching up to 2" in length. Aster alpinus is attractive to butterflies and is typically found in high mountains above the timber line. The genus name, Aster, comes from the Latin word for star, referring to the shape of the flowers, while the specific epithet, alpinus, signifies its alpine habitat.
Common names
Alpine Aster, Blue Alpine DaisyHow to care for Alpine Aster
Difficulty
Caring for Alpine Aster is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.
Water
Alpine Aster should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Soil
Alpine Aster loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.
Lighting
Alpine Aster requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Blue Alpine Daisy is always in the right place to thrive.
Toxicity
There is no verified data on the toxicity of this plant in the records of Ploi. If any person, including yourself, a family member, or a pet, consume plant material with an uncertain toxicity level, it is advisable to seek the advice of a healthcare expert.
Fertilizer
Repotting the Alpine Aster should be done either when it has doubled in size or on a yearly basis, whichever occurs sooner. Fresh potting soil with all the required nutrients, refreshed annually, will provide the plant with all the necessary sustenance, making the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that plants receive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.
Growth-pattern
New growth will sprout from the top of the Alpine Aster as it grows vertically.
More info:
Wikipedia
