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The Snow Drift Aster
 This outstanding aster covers itself in a blizzard of delicate
white daisies highlighted by creamy-yellow centers.
Mounding 4-6" plants resemble a blanket of
drifting snow, making a lovely edging for summer
borders.Also great in rock gardens and containers.
This Aster is well know for deterring deer.Hardy
carefree plants spread 20-24". (Buy
from Spring Hill Nursery)
| Botanical Name:
|
Aster ericoides
'Snowdrift' |
| Form: |
Berbaceous Perennial |
| Sun Exposure |
Full Sun |
| Height/Habit |
4" - 6" high, low
mounding, ground-cover |
| Spread: |
20" - 24" |
| Spacing: |
20" - 22" |
| Hardiness
Zone: |
3 - 9 (-20 degrees F) |
| Foliage Type |
Stiff, Very Narrow, 1/4"
- 1/23" long. Very dense along stems |
| Flower Form |
Small 1/2"
single daisies |
| Flower Color: |
White with pinky-red stems |
| Flowering Date: |
Early September through October |
| Planting Requirements:
|
Set at the same
soil level it is at in the container, firm
and water in thoroughly
|
| Soil Requirements: |
A well drained sandy soil is
best, but it is quite tolerant of a range
of soils provided they are not heavy or wet. |
| Growth Rate: |
Moderate once established,
which takes approximately 2-3 weeks. |
| Unique Characteristics: |
This is a very unique and outstanding
plant that covers itself in a myriad of tiny
white daisies with yellow centers that give
the effect of creamy high lights amongst the
white. It's aptly named, as the low growing
almost prostrate growth gives the impression
of a blanket of drifting snow covering the
ground. The stiff, heavily branched stems
form a dense framework that is covered in
small almost needle-like leaves and later
the flowers. This unusual low mounding plant
forms a beautiful ground-cover ideal as a
foreground planting in a border, nestled amongst
stones in a rock garden or used to cascade
over the sides of a container. A care-free
and very hardy selection of a native American
wildflower, that is a favorite with butterflies. |
| Pruning: |
N/A |
| Time of Pruning: |
N/A |
The Snow Drift Aster Plants well with the
following:
| |
|
Outstanding
in early summer borders. Towering
stalks, up to 4' tall, are covered
with bell-shaped florets in a mix
of bright colors. Hummingbirds can't
resist! Fast-growing biennial plants
are resistant to most pests and diseases.
Beautiful in woodland gardens, cottage
gardens and borders. Space 2-3' apart.
Leaves are very poisonous to humans,
cattle and horses. Leaves contain
a heart stimulant. Plant away from
livestock. (Buy
From Spring Hill Nursery) |
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Interesting Aster Facts:
In Denmark and Holland asters are grown as a
potted plant and as cut flowers. With their small
daisy-like flowers in shades of purple, blue,
white and pink, asters have become a popular crop
in the European market.
In the early '90s, Yoder Brothers Inc. introduced
a line of vegetatively propagated aster cultivars.
Some cultivars are for indoor potted culture,
some for outdoor garden pots, while others are
for use as cut flowers. Asters are easy to incorporate
into New England production. They can be grown
as a companion crop to the garden mum and offered
to the market in September and October.
The culture of asters is very similar to chrysanthemums.
They require long days for vegetative growth and
short days for flower bud initiation. For indoor
greenhouse production between September and April
or May a mum lighting system must be utilized
to produce strong vegetative growth. For outdoor
garden pot production the crop is grown under
natural daylength conditions just as is done with
garden mums.
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