Red or Blue?

As part of the native plant and pollinator community science project, I received three Blue Wood Asters to plant in my garden. Two of the asters were from the same eco-region, marked with blue flags. The third came from a different region and had a red flag. When I planted them, each was only about 6 inches tall. Now, in July, the growth differences are striking.

The two blue-flagged asters are shorter and bushier.

The red one is long and spindly.

Since I’m not just participating in this study for the scientists but also using it as part of my nature journaling program, I decided to measure the plants again. Blue 1 is 14 inches tall. Blue 2 is 15 inches. And Red is 10 inches taller at a little over 25 inches! Does the height difference matter as far as blooming?

All three look healthy, but Red definitely looks the most likely to bloom first. Blue Wood Asters typically bloom between August and November, so I’m guessing that I’ll observe Red blooming by next month. But I believe that Blue 1 and Blue 2 will wait until next year to flower. I hope I’m wrong for the sake of the community science project, but no data, although boring from my perspective, is important data for scientists.

I also wonder: Are Blue 1 and Blue 2 the local ecotype asters and Red from far away, or is it the opposite? The scientists didn’t tell us which was which during pickup.

If they bloom, will I be in the garden at the right moment to observe the pollinators? Or will pollinators be so abundant that I can’t miss them? If the flowers are pollinated, will they go to seed and begin to spread on their own?

And why is Red so tall and spindly? Does it receive more sunlight?

So many questions still unanswered. But I’ll keep wondering and observing to gain more insight.

Here’s to creating a pollinator’s paradise!