Generally speaking, I don’t like fall. Why? It precedes winter — which is a long, cold, nongrowing, nongardening season that seems to stretch on forever.
However, I do enjoy some of the pretty colors and flowers of fall, particularly wild asters. The tiny, purple (both dark and light purple) and white flowers pop up everywhere and make the gardens appear to be starting a new life just before winter.
As I gaze forlornly at the fields of sunflowers, their heavy heads bent in supplication, resigned to the fact that summer is over and winter is coming, I marvel at the puffy projections of white and purple scattered all around.
The sedum is finishing its last hurrah of brilliant pinks and burgundy reds. The dark-eyed Susan heads follow the saddened state of the sunflowers, and the gladioli and roses have dropped their last petals, but color abounds in these tiny, wild aster delights.
我讨厌把它们从它们的自然栖息地移走,但它们的数量如此之多,所以收获一些用于插花并不会减少它们多产的天性。我把它们倒挂在棚子里,一束束地晾干,做成花环和插花。这是非常值得的。它们晾干后的香气令人愉悦。
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Interestingly, the word “aster” comes from Greek which refers to multicolored, star-like blooms which adequately describe these charming wonders. They are some of the last blooming flowers of summer, and the floral harbinger of autumn.
Wild asters are hardy plants, often coloring the landscape where other blooms have given up for the season, withered, and died. Also known as starworts or frost flowers, theAstergenus includes around 600 species and they’re prolific in North America and southern Europe.
I love to collect bunches and use them in dried flower arrangements. I also bring fresh bunches inside and place them in a vase to cheer up the indoors when my gardens have little left to give.
Edible and Medicinal Uses for Wild Asters
These little charms have edible and medicinal* uses as well. The root of wild asters can be added to soups and are believed to have significant medicinal benefits. The Chinese haveused the root for centuries作为一种草药,缓解肺部疾病,如咳嗽和喘息。它有一种苦乐参半的味道。
The leaves and flowers of wild asters are also edible and considered beneficial to one’s health. Combined with bloodroot, aster makesa good laxative. An infusion of wild asterseases headachesymptoms. The flowers and leavescan be eaten freshor dried in salads or cooked lightly and served like spinach.
Although not commonly harvested for edible purposes, wild asters do well in teas, salads, and as a garnish. They should be harvested while in full bloom, preferably in the early morning once the dew has dried.
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For dried aster flowers or dried herbs, hang them upside down as you would do with other herbs, and allow to fully dry before crumbling into a light powder. Store in a sealed container for up to a year.
* Note that using any herb for medicinal purposes should only be done with the consultation of a professional.
Other Aster Varieties
野紫苑是多产的,它们微小的种子被风吹散到四面八方。紫苑有很多种。以下是我的最爱。
Lindley’s Aster
Lindley’s aster (Symphyotrichum ciliolatumorAster ciliolatus) is found in woodlands and at the edge of forest areas. The plant can be quite tall, usually about 3 feet in height, with one central flower stalk, and a few light to medium blue, heart-shaped leaves. With all the wooded areas on and around my property, it is the most common aster in my immediate area.
Many-Flowered Aster
Many-flowered aster (Symphyotrichum ericoidesorAster ericoides) is a grassland plant that’s prolific in meadows and ditches. It grows low, spreading out with many branches and tiny leaves. The flowers are also tiny (less than an inch), white, and clustered all along the short stems. The ditches along my country road are full of these asters.
Willow Aster
Willow aster (Symphyotrichum praealtum) is found along edges of wetlands. It’s also a tall-growing aster, though not as tall as Lindley’s aster. The flowers are white or pinkish and cluster near the top of the leafy stalks. The long leaves look like willow leaves, hence its name. My area is too dry for this aster, sadly.
Smooth Aster
Smooth aster (Symphyotrichum laeveorAster laevis) is another grassland species, also found along roadsides. Pale blue flowers grow in bunches on several leafy stalks.
New England Aster
New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliaeorAster novae-angliae) is another species found at forest edges. Very tall (can be 5 feet) with large bluish-purple flowers, and very showy. I’ve seen some of these growing in bunches along the forest edge — absolutely spectacular. These asters have a lovely, spicy aroma when drying.
紫菀花是短命的,当它们凋谢后,你就知道冬天就要来了。你没有收获的东西,可以留到冬天,这样种子就可以传播开来,在下一个秋天为你提供一个更壮观的花展。现在,我要去享受缤纷的野紫苑直到冬天到来。
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