Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Purple’

Description

Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Purple’ is a beautiful, compact perennial that blooms profusely with semi-double, white flowers with blue backs from mid-June to October. Follow this comprehensive planting and aftercare guide to ensure your Aster thrives in your garden year after year.

PLANTING and AFTERCARE GUIDE

Best Planting Time

• Spring: Plant Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Purple’ in early spring, once the soil begins to warm. This timing allows the plant to establish strong roots before the flowering season, ensuring robust growth and a vibrant bloom.
• Autumn: Alternatively, you can plant in early autumn. This allows the roots to settle in and strengthen before the winter months, leading to healthier growth in the following spring.

Site Selection

• Sunlight: Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Purple’ flourishes in full sun or partial shade. Choose a site where the plant will receive at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth and bloom production.
• Soil: Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Purple’ prefers well-drained soil. Ensure the area has good drainage, as standing water can cause root rot. Enrich the soil with organic matter like compost to improve soil structure and promote healthy growth.

Planting Instructions

1. Prepare the Hole: Dig a hole that is twice the width and the same depth as the root ball of Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Purple’. This provides plenty of space for the roots to spread and grow comfortably.
2. Soil Preparation: Mix compost or organic material into the soil to enhance fertility and drainage. Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Purple’ benefits from nutrient-rich soil, which encourages vigorous growth and long-lasting blooms.
3. Planting: Place the plant into the prepared hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil. Gently backfill the hole, firming the soil to remove air pockets and ensure stability.
4. Watering After Planting: Water Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Purple’ well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and promote root establishment. Be sure to allow the area to drain well to avoid waterlogging.

Watering Requirements

• Growing Season: Once established, Asters are moderately drought-tolerant. Water during dry spells, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between watering sessions. Avoid overwatering, as excessive moisture can lead to root rot and other issues.
• Dormant Season: Reduce watering significantly during the dormant season. Only water if the soil becomes excessively dry, as the plant requires minimal moisture in winter.

Feeding

• Spring: Apply a balanced fertiliser in early spring to give Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Purple’ a strong start. This will help the plant produce healthy new growth and encourage abundant flowering.
• Mid-Summer: A light feeding in mid-summer will help prolong the blooming period and keep your Aster strong and vigorous throughout the season.

Pruning

• Deadheading: Regularly deadhead Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Purple’ to remove spent flowers. This helps extend the blooming period, keeps the plant tidy, and encourages the production of new flowers.
• Autumn Pruning: Once the flowering season ends, cut back the plant to ground level. This prepares the plant for winter dormancy and promotes healthy regrowth in the following year.

Mulching

• Spring: Apply a layer of mulch around Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Purple’ in spring to retain soil moisture, suppress weeds, and regulate soil temperature. Organic materials such as bark chips or compost work best for mulch.
• Winter: During the colder months, adding mulch around the base of the plant helps protect the roots from frost and prevents frost heaving, ensuring that your Aster survives until spring.

Supporting the Plant

• Staking: Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Purple’ typically has strong stems and doesn’t require staking. However, in particularly windy locations or if the plant becomes top-heavy with flowers, you may wish to stake it to avoid any damage.

Final Tips

Aster dumosus ‘Wood’s Purple’ is a low-maintenance perennial that adds beautiful color and structure to your garden. By planting it in a sunny or partially shaded location with well-drained soil, and following these simple care instructions, you will enjoy continuous blooms from mid-June to October. This hardy plant attracts bees, making it a wonderful addition to any wildlife-friendly garden.

RHS Details

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