5.2 Perennials

PERENNIALS
Notes: about 50 spp. native to N. America, some very limited in distribution; range of
some spp. reduced by intensive cultivation, and now commonly found in fields which
are least disturbed by arable farming or on railway embankments and unsprayed
roadsides 23.
A characteristic of this group of plants, is the milky-white sap that "bleeds" from
a cut stem or leaf. Also known for the distinctive mature seed-pods, packed with seeds
bearing long silky hairs. Frequently insects feeding on milkweeds are poisonous to
mammals.
Ornamental spp. are grown in the border or rock garden (e.g. A. tuberosa L.,
butterfly milkweed, ascldpiade tubdreuse). Common native American spp. include, A.
syriaca L. (common milkweed, herbe a coton) found in thickets, dry fields and
roadsides in w. N.B. to Sask. and S. 23 ; A. incarnata L. (swamp milkweed, ascldpiade
incarnate) found in wet thickets, swamps and shores in Que., N.S., Man., N.E., L.I. and
beyond Can. limits 23 ; A. verticillata L. (whorled milkweed) found in dry woods and
open sterile soil in Mass., N.Y., s. Ont., Mich., Wisc., s. Man., and s. Sask.; A. speciosa
Ton. (showy milkweed) found in prairies and clearings in Minn. to B.C. 23 .
Aster L.
aster, Michaelmas daisy, starwort, frost flower
per. Aug-frost N(P)
Value for honey: HP2 (for most Aster) 16 ; H yields of 13.5-45 kg/colony/season
reported 50. Asters are one of Canada's major naturally occurring source of N and P.
Most apiaries in Canada are within easy reach of at least one sp. of aster. However, few
beekeepers differentiate between spp. when reporting, so it is difficult to compare them
accurately.
Asters are considered valuable for their long late flow and ability to yield well,
even in very cool weather. The apparent variation in value for H between spp. may be
due to differences in growing conditions. The aster is found in all provinces, but is
commercially more important to beekeepers in the E. (i.e. Ont., Que., and the
Maritimes) 5°'72 .
Value for pollen: much less important for P than N.
Honey: surplus H is often mixed with that of Solidago (goldenrod), but since the latter
is more sensitive to frost than asters, the production of pure aster H is sometimes
possible 72 .
H is light to medium amber in colour; with a characteristic aroma; unripe H may
have a rank or sickening odour which largely disappears during storage; usually of fine
quality, but can have characteristics making it undesirable for over-wintering (i.e.:
contains "gums" indigestible to bees; early granulation; and prone to fermentation due to
late collection and incomplete ripening). However, in some areas it is depended upon
for winter stores 72 .
Many of the garden cvs., hybrids and native spp. are probably worked well for N
and P, but recorded evidence was found only for those spp. listed here or described
below: A. ericoides L. (Me., s. B.C.); A. sagittifolius Wedem. ex Willd. (N.B. to Ont.);
A. sedifolius L.; A. tradescantii L. (s. Nfld., L.St.John, Que., N.S., Bruce Pen., Ont.); A.
umbellatus Mill. (Maritimes to Man.); A. vimineus Lam. (e. Canada) 2332 .
Notes: Other notable native aster spp. of undetermined value for H are: A. macrophyllus
(Que., Ont., N.S.); A. azureus Lindl. (Ont.); A. ciliolatus Lindl. (Anticosti I. to Hudson
Bay reg., nw. to n. B.C., S. to N.S.); A. undulatus L. (N.S., s. Ont.); A. tardifolius L.
(n. N.E., s. Que., e. Ont.); A. sericeus Venten. (s. Man.); A. radula Ait. (Nfld., Que.,
N.S.); A. falcatus Lindl. (Alta.) A. simplex Willd. (w. Nfld., Sask.); A. adscendens
39