Aster macrophyllus - Bigleaf Aster

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	0.6
Width:	0.6
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America. Occasionally naturalized in Britain[17].

Aster macrophyllus (Bigleaf Aster) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 0.6m and a width of 0.6m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Bigleaf Aster will flower in February to April. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, lepidoptera, self

Soil Information

Bigleaf Aster will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Bigleaf Aster prefers either dry or moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Bigleaf Aster can grow in semi or areas with no shade.

Dry to moist open woods, thickets and clearings[43]. By rivers and streams in Britain[17].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Works within dappled Shade
• Grows in a shady edge
• Can spread to cover ground and will out compete weeds

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most good garden soils[1], preferring one that is well-drained and moisture retentive[200]. Prefers a sunny position[200]. Succeeds in dry soils in the shade[200]. Grows well in light woodland shade[88], succeeding amongst the roots of other plants[233]. Plants are hardy to about -25°c[187]. The plant has an invasive root system and can spread freely when well sited[233]. Slugs are fond of this plant and have destroyed even quite large clumps by eating out all the new growth in spring[K]. Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. A very variable plant with many different forms[187], it hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Very young leaves - cooked and used as a vegetable[46, 61, 105, 161, 177]. The leaves are said to act as a medicine as well as a food, though no details are given[257]. Only young leaves are eaten as old leaves quickly become tough[213]. Roots - cooked. They have been used in soups[257].

• Leaves -
• Root - includes bulbs, corms, tubers, rhizomes etc.

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
The roots have been used as a blood medicine[257]. An infusion of the root has been used to bathe the head to treat headaches[257]. A compound decoction of the roots has been used as a laxative in the treatment of venereal disease[257].

• Blood purifier - Purifies the blood.
• Laxative - Stimulates bowel movements in a fairly gentle manner.
• VD - Used in the treatment of venereal disease

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to become dry. Pre-chilling the seed for two weeks can improve germination rates[134]. Germination usually takes place within 2 weeks at 20°c[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[200]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whist smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

Plants can be used as a ground cover in light shade, forming a spreading clump[208, 233].

• Ground cover - Usually low growing plants that can be grown with other plants, especially shrubs and trees, to prevent the growth of weeds.

Cultivars

no recorded cultivars

References

Gray's Manual of Botany.
Fernald. M. L.
Author: Fernald. M. L.
Rating:
Publisher : A bit dated but good and concise flora of the eastern part of N. America.
Date of Publication : 1950

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

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