This early day in the new season found us working outdoors. Despite the bright sun light, the air was cool enough to make our hands ache. Much as we love living in an area with four distinct and sometimes harsh seasons, pain in response to cold has us talking about moving south. Action is unlikely because we do enjoy living here. Frequent trips inside to wrap hands around a hot mug of tea should help with the cold hands.
Native asters have captured and held our attention. Many New England asters grow on the margins of our gardens. A bright pink aster has been at the top of the want list for some time. Last year we spotted one growing in the ditch alongside of the road. A poorly kept house was nearby. Reluctant to knock on the stranger's door, I considered stealing it. Moral values or fear of the hefty fine for taking a wild plant kept the aster undisturbed. Later the county road crew removed the aster and all that was nearby when they cleaned the ditch.
The pink aster in the picture was discovered today, growing in a waste area near a path. We can find no explanation for its presence. One near that color was ordered but it was out of stock. This must be a natural mutation from wild stock or a cross with one of our purchased exotics. In any event, the location of the bright pink aster will be carefully marked so that we can find it in the spring. It deserves a better place to grow. I wanted it and here it is!
Our search for hardy chrysanthemums continues. This bright yellow plant fills a void. Planted in front of a south facing stone wall, it may reappear next year. Our hopes are high since we really need many plants with this color.
This pale pink aster was purchased. The years required for a mail order plant to grow from a small promise of things to come to a respectable plant caused this one to nearly get lost. We did not weed it out in error and now its location can be clearly seen. Dream of Beauty may be the source of genetic material for our new wild aster.
This white aster is causing us some confusion. Did we buy it or is it wild? A comparison will have to be made between this garden plant and others growing wild in our fields. I suspect that another native was moved into the garden. It has taken over the area where it is planted.
2 comments:
What beautiful photos of your beautiful plants. My single aster Alma Potchke is in full pink bloom, but we have lots of wild roadside aster. I am waiting for my loyal Sheffies (Sheffield daisy) which is actually a chrysanthemum to finally bloom. It's been pretty chilly here, too!
I don't have Asters in my garden. Since it's shady, I assumed they wouldn't grow well here, but have since learned some varieties can handle shade. Actually, I'm planning to plant False Aster (Boltonia) from seed--I hope it will take off for next year. Glad you found the pink Asters that you wanted!
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