For anyone that doesn't already know i have a Botanical Studio in Seaton, Devon where i study flowers & work with essential oils. I also work with flowers in as many creative ways as i can for example i press flowers, paint flowers and even create natural dye from flowers. If this sounds of interest do take a look at some of the workshops i have planned, you can find an up to date list here.
So, back to flowers. I will do my best to have 'Flower Friday' from now on here on my blog so stay tuned for information on different flowers each week. I'm very new to botanical studies so i'll be learning as i go along. I have sketched and painted them for many years but i still have so much to learn about them!
So to begin my 'Flower Friday' i'm going to be looking at:
ASTER - Henry Purple. (Asteraceae family)
They are a flowering perennial that provide a stunning amount of blooms in a beautiful warm purple colour. This variety are a hardy herbaceous perennial flower with daisy-like blooms starting in around September and through into late November.
I’ve found that they are perfect for adding a splash of colour into borders & pots during a time when many of my other colourful flowers have died back. They are easy to care for too, so pretty much anyone can grow these without any problems (if I can you can!)
Getting Creative
- Interestingly they actually work as cut flowers, they look great in little short glass jars and so lend themselves well to being the focus of a sketching and painting workshop.
- They work well in flower presses too, creating an interesting shape and beautiful deep purple colour to add into pressed flower pieces.
- I haven’t yet experimented with the flowers in dye making though when I do I will be sure to add some information here.Planting Location
It is recommended that they are planted in a location with at least a half-day of full sun with good soil drainage & air flow. Mine are planted up in long pots in the courtyard garden and are doing really well.
- The pollen on open Aster flowers often attracts bees & butterflies
- They have a ‘double flower’
- Make good cut flowers
Care & Growing Advice
According to Costa Farms they advise: “Water asters from below, as wet foliage can become infected with fungal diseases. Cut asters back to the ground in the spring before new growth begins. Taller varieties of asters can grow 3 to 4 feet tall so consider staking the plants when young so they don't flop over once they reach their mature size. Pinching the plants back in late spring will also promote more compact growth.”
I do hope that you found this little post interesting, hopefully the more I study the more I will learn and I’ll be able to come back and add more information as I learn it. If you have a request of a flower you would like me to blog about please do get in touch!
Where I purchased mine:
Otter Garden Centre - Ottery St Mary
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