Aster tongolensis

‘Wartburgstern’

WARTBURG STAR ASTER

Aster tongolensis ‘Wartburgstern’
WARTBURG STAR ASTER

Aster tongolensis ‘Wartburgstern’ is a mouthful. But all is forgiven when it produces masses of large daisies, of an unusual violet-blue shade with eyes of glowing fire.

Blaze of unusual colour 

So it makes an impressive blaze of colour, with a very long blooming period from late spring right into autumn.
It is also a profuse bloomer, with each large flower being a very showy 6cm. approx. across.
The vivid flowers are held high on 30cm. stems above a mound of fine although dense foliage.
Aster tongolensis ‘Wartburgstern’ is very little known in Australia but we hope that will soon be remedied.

Hardy, easy groundcover

Wartburg Star is a very hardy, easy, low maintenance ground-cover.
The fine, lance like, hairy leaves form a mounding mat that always looks soft and refined in texture, while it stays dense and hugging the ground.
Foliage is deep green, lush, and with a hairy soft texture. The only maintenance that may be required is a tidy up and cut back at the end of winter, ready to commence the new season of flowering.

No-fuss plant

Plant in Sun to Part Shade.
Aster tongolensis ‘Wartburgstern’ is a very tolerant and accommodating plant which is easily pleased.
It is not fussy about soil type, and only requires average garden soil and average watering. So a range of soil types from sandy to clay is acceptable. It can  tolerate soils that stay damp for periods, but not permanently boggy. Tolerates alkaline, lime soils with a pH of 6 to 7.5 well.
It is not a particularly thirsty plant, requiring only average garden watering but it will reward you with even more flowers if you provide regular water when needed. It can withstand periods of dry and tolerates humidity well.
Very frost hardy and can withstand very low temperatures well into minus degrees celsius.

Where to use in the garden

By planting several plants you can cover as much ground as you want to.
The long blooming period also makes Wartburg Star a great garden edge or low border, as well as an excellent choice for a feature container.
It is perfect for gravel gardens or is suitable for windy or seaside gardens.

An excellent cut flower

Wartburg Star has a real reputation as a long lasting cut flower for the vase and floristry work because the flower stems are strong and self supporting.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY
Suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Sow seeds any time indoors in punnets, or scatter seeds directly in garden in autumn or early spring.

INDOORS: Sow the seeds on surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Then barely cover the seeds with mix / vermiculate / fine grit, to a maximum of their own diameter. Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Keep the punnet moist, in a warm, well-lit position.
Temperatures of 20-21C are idea for rapid and optimum germination. But these seeds are easy to germinate.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 10-12 days.

SEED COUNT: 50 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

GROWING: Aster tongolensis ‘Wartburgstern’

– Height with flowers: 25cm. approx.
– Width: Ground-cover mound to 70cm wide approx. for each plant.
– Position: Full Sun to Part Shade. Hardy in heat, and can also tolerate periods of dry well. Tolerates humidity as well.
– Soil: Tolerates a range of soil types from sandy to clay. Can tolerate soils that stay damp for periods, though not permanently waterlogged. It is not a thirsty plant and only needs normal, average garden watering. Can tolerate alkaline, lime soils with a pH of 6 to 7.5 well.

Tough & Frost hardy

– Fragrance: None but able to be forgiven because of the wonderful colour.
– Frost: Frost hardy in even the most severe frosts. It can also even tolerate very low minus degrees of frost.
– Growth: Evergreen perennial ground-cover or feature plant.

Great choice for Wildlife

– Beneficial for wildlife: Bees and also butterflies love the nectar of the large button centres.
– Care: Very hardy, easy as well as low maintenance. A real no-fuss plant.
– Deer & Rabbit resistant: Rabbits and deer are not particularly attracted to it.
– Origin: Native to India, western China and also the Himalayas.

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