Arum

Aruncus

Asclepias

Aster

Astilbe

 

Painted Arum

Arum italicum 'Pictum' - Painted Arum

Flower Color

Height

Season

Pests

Uses

Propagation

whitish green and yellow

12"- 18"

late spring 

few

woodland garden

division, seed

Performance – Painted Arum is a reliable perennial in Kentucky and grows best in partial to full shade in humus rich soil. It is primarily grown for the large, variegated leaves that give an elegant look in the garden. The leaves emerge in the fall and remain evergreen through the winter. They are excellent in flower arrangements.

Comments - The tubers should be divided when the plant is dormant in the early spring.

Aruncus dioicus - Goat's Beard

Flower Color

Height

Season

Pests

Uses

Propagation

creamy white

4' - 6'

early summer

few

woodland garden, specimen, back of border, center of an island

division

Performance - Goat's Beard is a reliable perennial in Kentucky and grows best in partial shade with soil that retains water. It is a very large plant and can spread 5' to 6' so spacing should be chosen carefully.

Comments - Aruncus is a dioecious plant and most nurseries do not distinguish between the genders.  The male plant has a much showier flower.

 

Butterfly Weed

Asclepias tuberosa - Butterfly Weed, Indian Paintbrush

Flower Color

Height

Season

Pests

Uses

Propagation

orange

1-2 ft.

summer

aphids

border, cut

seed, root cuttings

Performance - Butterfly weed is native to dry landscapes in Kentucky, such as highway medians and old fields. It is a reliable perennial in Kentucky gardens as well if the gardener can get it established, they are difficult to transplant. The plants are slow to emerge in the spring so care should be taken to avoid disturbing them.

Comments - The flowers are commercially produced as a cut flower. There is a great deal of color variation related to seedling variation. Repeat bloom is promoted if the initial blooms are removed as they begin to decline.

Aster - Michaelmas Daisy, Starwort, Frost Flower

Flower Color

Height

Season

Pests

Uses

Propagation

violet, white, blue, pink

18"- 60"

summer, late summer, fall

powdery mildew, verticillium wilt

border, cut flower, wild flower gardens

cuttings, division

Performance - Asters produce small daisy flowers in summer or fall and are reliable perennials in Kentucky gardens. They should be considered if one wishes to have a colorful garden in the fall. They are not commonly used because some types grow like the native asters that may appear weedy in the fall. Asters may spread aggressively with rhizomes or seed in the garden and may require staking, depending on the type chosen. Asters should be grown in full sun locations and will tolerate most soil conditions.

Comments - Division needs to be done every three years to avoid verticillium wilt.  When the plant gets over crowded the disease is most prevalent.

A. novi-belgii ‘Snow Cushion’

A. oblongifolius ‘Raydon’s Favorite’

A. simplex

Aster x frikarti - Frikart's Aster - Frikart's aster performs very well in Kentucky and blooms summer through fall with blue to lavender flowers. Plants may require staking and prefer well-drained soil. Frikart's aster is marginally hardy so give some winter protection if extremely cold and no snow cover. 'Wonder of Staffa', 'Monch', 'Floral Delight'.

Aster novi-belgii - Michaelmas Daisy, New York Aster - New York aster is native to Kentucky and is relatively common in open fields. In the garden fertilize sparingly and divide every other year. Taller types require staking. There are over 300 cultivars available. 'Ada Ballard', 'Alert', 'Bonningdale White', 'Professor Kippenberg', 'Snow Cushion', 'White Lady', 'Winston Churchill', 'Wood's Purple'.

Aster oblongifolius – This aster is native to Kentucky and has performed well in trials at the UK Horticulture Research Farm from 2003 to 2006. The selection ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ has been one of the best plants for flowering in late September and October in the trials from 2002 to 2006.

Aster simplex – Panicled Aster – This aster, native to Kentucky, has performed well in trials at the UK Horticulture Research Farm from 2003 to 2006.

More information and photos in HortFacts 50.10 06 – Asters.

 

‘Deutschland’ and ‘Rhineland’

Astilbe - False Spirea

Flower Color

Height

Season

Pests

Uses

Propagation

red, pink, white, lavender

24"- 48"

early summer 

Japanese beetle

shade garden, border, cut flowers

seed, division

Performance - Astilbes are excellent, reliable perennials in Kentucky gardens. Plants grow best in partial shade to full sun but it is imperative that they have adequate moisture during the spring and summer to produce long blooming periods. Plants should be divided every three to four years.

Comments - There are many hybrids in the species ranging in height, flower color, and bloom time.

Astible x arendsii - False Spirea, Astilbe.  Many cultivars of this cultivated species are available.

Astilbe chinensis 'Pumila' - Dwarf Chinese Astilbe - Dwarf Astilbe grows best in partial shade in a well drained soil.  It is a spreading plant and looks excellent along a shaded walk way. This species will tolerate dry soil compared to other species.

Astilbe simplicifolia – Star Astilbe – The 1994 Perennial Plant of the Year variety, ‘Sprite’, performs very well in shade gardens in Kentucky. 

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