Maria border aster is a perennial aster of German selection, distinguished by a compact and spreading bush with a height of 25 to 36 cm. The plant forms sturdy flower stems up to 22 cm long, bearing double hemispherical inflorescences with a diameter of 7 to 10 cm. Flowers feature diverse shades of pink, with false-ray florets twisted into tubes. The bushes are wide and rounded, with green, non-hairy leaves, giving the plant a neat and decorative appearance. During mass flowering, one bush can bear from 15 to 20 inflorescences that do not fade in the sun and do not drop, ensuring long-lasting and spectacular blooming.
Blooming begins in the second half of July and continues until frost, averaging about 79 days. Thanks to its resistance to adverse weather conditions, as well as relative resistance to fusarium and septoria, Maria border aster is a reliable choice for designing flower beds and borders. It is also suitable for growing in pots on balconies and windows, expanding its application in decorative gardening.
Agronomy of cultivation involves the plant's love for light and cold hardiness, allowing it to withstand brief frosts. Aster prefers any soils except those where water stagnation or drought is possible. Propagation can be done both via seedlings and without seedlings. Seeds are recommended to be soaked in a solution of microelements or growth stimulants before sowing, which is conducted in March-April for seedlings or at the end of April-May in open ground. Seedlings are transplanted into the ground in May with a distance between plants of 20-30 cm. Cut flowers maintain freshness in water for up to 14-18 days, making them attractive for use in bouquets.
