Asterion Gold

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Asteraceae or Compositae

Order

Asterales

Genus

Asteriscus

Species

maritimus

Description

Ornamental herbaceous plant with a prostrate habit, prized for its abundant spring-summer flowering characterised by bright colours. Preferably used in landscaping, also in compositions with other ornamentals, as a border and bedding plant or used in large tubs for balconies and terraces. It is easy to manage and is very hardy, although care should be taken with water stagnation and dryness which could damage it.

Variety description

The asterion aster needs vernalization for abundant and early flowering, so the cultivation cycle starts early in the winter to flower as early as March beginning of April. It fears water excesses such as dry spells. It has a prostrate growth habit and is preferably used in flowerbeds or large tubs, even together with other upright spring-summer blooms. It is one of the few yellow summer flowering plants suitable for flowerbeds with prostrate growth.

Curiosities and special features

The genus name, Asteriscus, is derived from the Greek word asteriskos meaning 'little star' in relation to the shape of the star-like flowers, while the specific epithet, maritimus, is derived from the Latin mare as coastal areas are one of the plant's natural habitats.

Origin and distribution

Mediterranean species native to the coastal areas of the Canary Islands, Greece, southern Spain and Portugal as well as parts of northern Africa.

Flower size

The flower is medium in size compared to that of other varieties, in formal balance with the ground cover.

Leaf

The leaf has an elongated, lanceolate, spatulate lamina and is also tomentose, i.e. covered with fine hairs, silky to the touch.

Flowering period

The abundant and scenic flowering lasts from early spring to mid-autumn for a duration of 140 to 200 days, bringing a touch of colour and brightness to gardens and terraces for a long time.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence head typical of Species belonging to the botanical Family of Compositae.

Leaf colour

The colour shade of the foliage is solid, in perfect colour contrast to the bright colour of the inflorescences.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.05 to 0.3 m, making it suitable for compact and colourful ornamental solutions, which can be combined with taller blooms in order to create landscaped perspective views.

Lifespan

It is often cultivated as an annual plant because, depending on the climatic conditions, it may not last long when cold temperatures occur.

Where to plant

It is well suited to decorating green spaces with a high decorative value, and is in fact considered the ideal choice for flowerbeds, balconies, outdoor tubs, borders, planters

Stem

Herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower is daisy-shaped, medium-sized, with a symmetrical corolla and plain petals. It is arranged in medium-sized flower head inflorescences. It flowers from early spring to mid-autumn, with a flowering period of between 140 and 200 days. It is attractive to bees.

Growth

It develops a compact growth, which is excellent for creating dense covers similar to shiny pads.

Plant habit

Varieties with a ground cover habit to which flowers of different heights can be associated to create perspective movements of high ornamental value.

Branching

It has medium branching, creating dense and dense ground cover.

PH

The asterisk prefers soils with a slightly acidic pH, with optimum values between 5.8 and 6.3.

Soil preparation

Before transplanting in spring, carry out light digging to remove any residues of previous crops, weeds and bulky stones, then bury organic or chemical fertiliser to carry out a base fertilisation and break up the most compact clods with the help of a hoe. Continue by creating a raised flower bed by ballasting the soil to ensure sufficient drainage of any excess water that may accumulate causing stagnation and root rot, then add professional substrate on the surface to a height of about 5/10 cm and carefully level it out.

Sun exposure

It grows well in half shade, full sun; for excellent flowering it is advisable to expose the plant to maximum light while ensuring it is watered in proportion to its needs.

Ideal climate and temperature

The biological temperature is between 3 and 32 °C. The ideal temperature is between 14 and 16 °C; with appropriate irrigation it adapts well to hot summer climates.

Use

Due to its bearing and copious flowering, it is considered ideal as a plant in areas such as:

Outdoor Landscape Design Landscaping

Hardiness

It is highly rustic, adapting to soil and climate situations not always tolerated by other ornamentals.

Soil

It prefers medium-textured or sandy soils that allow adequate drainage as it fears excess water with stagnation; for use in pots and planters use a substrate for spring plants containing peat and perlite.

Difficulty

It is an easy-to-cultivate plant, and is therefore an optimal solution for decorating gardens and terraces without requiring any particular effort in its maintenance.

Growing tips

In order to achieve proper vegetative development and abundant flowering, the following variety-specific cultivation conditions must be taken into account:

Expose the plant to maximum light Avoid over-watering Keep the substrate dry at low temperatures

Combinations with other plants

It is possible to create proportionate and balanced overall effects in the flowerbed, both formally and chromatically, with other ornamentals such as Ageratum houstonianum, Lantana camara, Lantana sellowiana and Salvia farinacea.

Planting

For bed planting, an average density of 18 plants per square metre is recommended in order to allow each individual specimen to develop optimally, thus obtaining a well-proportioned composition. It is also advisable to take the seedling out of its container without damaging the roots and to position it on a raised flowerbed with the collar outside the soil surface, avoiding over-compressing the lump and watering immediately after planting, preferably during the morning hours.

Propagation

Reproduction can be by sowing or by cuttings.

Watering

The asterisk does not tolerate excess or stagnant water, which can lead to root rot and deficiencies that can cause leaf reddening and poor growth. It is therefore advisable to provide quantities in proportion to the plant's needs using rainwater, or alternatively water from the aqueduct or irrigation channels, either manually or by drip irrigation or sub-irrigation.

When transplanting, assist the seedling to ensure that it adapts correctly to its new site, keeping it at a constant humidity but without exceeding the frequency or water supply; then allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between irrigation sessions, avoiding drying out the plant and always checking the humidity level before watering. It is also advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant during the late afternoon/evening to prevent the possible development of mould and rot.

Fertilising

During pre-transplant soil preparation, carry out background fertilisation by burying slow-release organic or chemical fertiliser. After proper settlement in the new planting site, apply a specific liquid fertiliser for ornamental plants to the soil or substrate, to be diluted in the irrigation water and distributed according to the balanced dosages and frequencies as indicated on the label of the relevant product purchased.

Pet safety

Ingestion toxicity for pets not known, avoid administration.

Edibility for humans

Ornamental species, not edible.

Toxicity for humans

Toxicity not known, avoid ingestion.

Tip

The asterisk is a plant that is very adaptable to different temperature conditions, but is very demanding of light in order to have a beautiful and copious flowering. It does not like large water fluctuations in the soil and fears excesses, especially at low temperatures, but also deficiencies that manifest themselves in reddening of the leaves and reduced growth. Fertiliser deficiency causes yellowing of the foliage from the basal leaves and reduces the number of flowers. It needs a vernalization period (3-4 weeks) to anticipate flowering.