Aster daisy or Michaelmas daisy

Showy daisy-like heads flower late summer and autumn in a wide range of colours including blue, violet, purple, pink, red and white all with central disc of yellow or purple. Michaelmas daisy is a loose term which is often used to cover most of the taller species, although it strictly refers to Aster novi-belgii. The 'China asters' grown as bedding plants are now classified in the genus 'Callistephus'. Clouds of lilac-blue flowers has a long flowering season, summer right through to late autumn. Black arching stems. Grows to 90cm and spreads well. Vigorous and spreading.

Planting Advice:

Perennial asters are easily grown. Give them good soil and plenty of sunshine. In very hot areas they may prefer part shade. Keep them well moist at all times. Cut the spent flower stems at ground level and tidy the clumps when the flowers have faded. Divide plants every 2 to 3 years using the most vigorous outer part. Plants respond to generous feeding in spring.Plant autumn or winter from divisions. Although this aster is drought hardy, plenty of sunshine and regularly water in summer will encourage the plant to bulk up and flower better. Prune the flowered stems as they finish.Varieties of Aster novi belgii (New York Aster) respond to generous feeding and watering in spring and summer. Watch for mildew.

Varietes:

A few choice varieties to look for. This aster has been widely hybridised so now there are many complex hybrids with large heads of small to medium sized daisies ranging from miniatures to 1.8m giants for the back of the flower border.

Aster frikartii 'Jung Frau' (Pictured above)

Aster laevis 'Calliope' is lilac-blue grows to 90cms.

Aster x frikartii is the best of all with large lavender-blue daisy flowers from February to May, grows 60cm. This plant resents disturbance and will sulk or die if transplanted at the wrong time. Winter is best

Aster lateriflorus 'Coombe Fishacre' is rich pink with crimson centre, grows 1.2m

Aster novae-angliae is the New England Aster that grows in vigorous clumps of mostly vertical stems to 1.5m. Support cradles may be necessary. Cultivars include:

'Harrington's Pink' rose pink, mildew resistant

'Violetta' darkest violet with yellow eye, growing with dense heads on self-supporting stems growing to 1m.

'Perry's White' is white to 80cm

'Blue Gown' 90cm

'Crimson Glory' is burgundy 65cm.

'Little Boy Blue' 35cm.

'Dwarf Marjorie' deep rosy-mauve 20cm.