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Aster amellus ‘Grunder’ (Italian Aster)

Italian Aster 'Grunder', Italian Starwort 'Grunder', Michaelmas Daisy 'Grunder', Fall Aster 'Grunder', Aster amellus 'Grフ_nder'

Aster Amellus 'Grunder', Italian Aster 'Grunder', Italian Starwort 'Grunder', Michaelmas Daisy 'Grunder', Fall Aster 'Grunder', Fall perennials, Fall Flowers, Aster Grunder, Purple flowers,

Statuesque, Aster amellus ‘Grunder’ (Italian Aster) is a very distinctive Aster variety with its profuse and long-lasting sprays of large, deep lavender-blue blossoms, 3 in. across (7 cm), with broad petals surrounding a golden yellow disc. Blooming for weeks from early fall to mid-fall, this fall Aster doesn’t need staking and is resistant to powdery mildew. Native to Europe, it is easy to grow, long-lived and provides a bold splash of color in the late-season garden.

  • Compact and fast-growing, up to 32 in. tall (80 cm) and 24 in. wide (60 cm), its strong flowering sprays are held upright and their woody stems are clad with oval, dark green leaves.
  • Thrives in full sun in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Moderately fertile, alkaline soils are preferred. Provide good air circulation to avoid foliage diseases such as powdery mildew. Drought tolerant!
  • A vital ingredient of late summer and fall borders, cottage gardens, prairies, or butterfly gardens. Asters are also valued for the excellent quality of their cut flowers.
  • Asters are a must if you are trying to attract birds or butterflies, as they are a great source of nectar.
  • Pinch back stems before early summer to promote bushiness and produce more flowers.
  • Divide every 3-4 years in spring.

Aster Amellus, commonly known as Italian Aster, belongs to the Asteraceae family, including yarrows, chrysanthemums, and sunflowers. The Genus Aster contains over 600 species and thousands of hybrid varieties, providing a wide choice to pick from, as they all vary in habit, height, flower color, leaf shape, and growing conditions. As opposed to the New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) or the New York Aster (Aster novi-belgii), Aster amellus doesn’t produce tall, pyramidal plants but the size and beauty of its blossoms, coupled with its neat and compact habit, make this Aster among the most desirable of all Fall Asters.

Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Aster
Common names Aster, Fall Aster, Michaelmas Daisy
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Rabbit, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Symphyotrichum leave ‘Bluebird’ (Smooth Aster)
Ampelaster carolinianus (Climbing Aster)
Doellingeria umbellata (Flat-Topped White Aster)
Aster novi-belgii (New York Aster)
Symphyotrichum chilense (Pacific Aster)
Symphyotrichum lanceolatum (White Panicle Aster)

Recommended Companion Plants

Persicaria amplexicaulis ‘Alba’ (Mountain Fleece)
Aconitum napellus (Monkshood)
Rudbeckia fulgida ‘Viette’s Little Suzy’ (Black-Eyed Susan)

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Aster novae-angliae (New England Aster)
Aster novi-belgii (New York Aster)
Aster amellus (Italian Aster)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 5 - 8
Heat Zones 1 - 8
Climate Zones 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Plant Type Perennials
Plant Family Compositae
Genus Aster
Common names Aster, Fall Aster, Michaelmas Daisy
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Fall
Height 2' - 3'
(60cm - 90cm)
Spread 1' - 2'
(30cm - 60cm)
Spacing 18" - 24"
(50cm - 60cm)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Chalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Cut Flowers, Showy
Tolerance Drought, Rabbit, Deer
Attracts Birds, Butterflies, Bees
Garden Uses Beds And Borders
Garden Styles Traditional Garden, Coastal Garden, Informal and Cottage, Prairie and Meadow
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Explore Great Plant Combination Ideas
Aster
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Aster
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