Aster

Not just the typical Michaelmas Daisy, we offer others with more interest. Many of the less common species are more or less mildew free and a better, moister soil will help with all species. A very varied family now reflected better by some recent name changes - if you can't find what you are looking for under Aster, try the new genus names also found on this page.

Read more about the name changes in our blog.

The Aster family is a huge group of plants, from most of the northern hemisphere, made up, basically, of what was left after the botanists had divided the obvious groups of daisies out of the family formerly known as Compositae, now known as Asteraceae.  As a result some of the species bear little relation to each other and the new name changes make sense on a botanical level, just a pity some of the new names will be so hard to spell and pronounce compared to Aster!

As a whole, the Asters are summer and autumn flowering perennials, mostly with good upright stems that produce interesting fluffy seedheads later in the year, very useful for naturalistic gardening.  Most of them like an ordinary soil, not too wet or dry, in sun or a little shade but there are a few that prefer at least some shade.

Most can be given a Chelsea-chop if required, cutting back the new growth in spring from c. 30cm to c. 15cm, to encourage side branhes and a denser, lower growing clump.  It doesn't work with all of them, so ask or experiment before chopping the whole plant off!

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Aster ageratoides 'Asran'

Aster ageratoides 'Asran'£6.50

Spreading clumps of wand-like stems with incised dark green leaves topped with generous heads of very pale lavender blue flowers in summer. Average soil in sun. 45cm.


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Aster amellus 'Forncett Flourish'

Aster amellus 'Forncett Flourish'£4.50

AGM An excellent and very floriferous form which produces masses of rich blue flowers with a hint of purple in late summer and autumn. Drained soil in sun, 45cm.


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Aster pyrenaeus 'Lutetia'

Aster pyrenaeus 'Lutetia'£6.50

Excellent clump forming plant with masses of lavender flowers on short but willowy stems to 45cm in summer and autumn. Ordinary soil in sun.


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Doellingeria umbellata

Doellingeria umbellata£5.00

Clumps of tall wand-like stems clothed with narrow leaves and topped with heads of smallish white flowers in autumn. Excellent for mixing with Panicums etc. 1.2m. Ordinary soil in sun.


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Eurybia divaricata

Eurybia divaricata£4.50

An unusual Aster with its shiny green leaves, black stems and masses of small white flowers with yellow centres that rapidly turn pink - and it likes shade! Low clumps to 60cm, flowers midsummer. Any reasonable soil in shade or part shade.


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Galatella sedifolia

Galatella sedifolia£4.50

Clumps of upright wand-like stems with clusters of narrow petalled flowers to 30cm in late summer. Ordinary soil in sun.


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Solidago rigida ssp humilis

Solidago rigida ssp humilis£4.50

Classy clumps of greyish foliage and upright stems topped with fluffy heads of clear yellow flowers in late summer to 60cm or so. Drained soil in sun.


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Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks'

Solidago rugosa 'Fireworks'£6.50

AGM A stunning and well behaved Golden Rod with purple flushed foliage, best in full sun. Open, elegant heads of long narrow branches covered in yellow flowers in late summer. 1.2m. Average to good soil.


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Solidago x luteus 'Lemore'

Solidago x luteus 'Lemore'£4.50

AGM Quite unlike the common Goldenrods, this low growing, bushy plant is topped with sprays of fluffy lemon yellow flowers in summer and autumn. Ordinary soil in sun. 60cm.


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Symphyotrichum 'Coombe Fishacre'

Symphyotrichum 'Coombe Fishacre'£4.50

AGM A distinctive form with light-mid pink flowers with slightly swept back rays (petals) making it instantly recognisable. Dense bushy habit to 75cm. Good soil in sun.


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Symphyotrichum 'Kylie'

Symphyotrichum 'Kylie'£7.00

An easy, reliable and tough hybrid (A. novae-angliae x A. ericoides) with arching stems carrying large sprays of thousands of small pink flowers in late summer and autumn. Best cascading down a slope or over a wall. 50cm. Sun.


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Symphyotrichum 'Little Carlow'

Symphyotrichum 'Little Carlow'£6.50

AGM. Clumps of upright, branching stems with masses of lavender flowers in autumn. Dark stems and foliage contrast well. 1m Average soil in sun or part shade.


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Symphyotrichum 'Prairie Purple'

Symphyotrichum 'Prairie Purple'£4.50

Glowing purple flowers on dark stems in autumn, long flowering and with a dense bushy habit. Best in good soil in sun, largely mildew free. 1.2m.


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Symphyotrichum cordifolium 'Elegans'

Symphyotrichum cordifolium 'Elegans'£6.00

Ethereal silvery bluish flowers on upright wafty stems in autumn. Dark stems make the flowers stand out. Good soil in sun. 1.4m.


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Symphyotrichum cordifolium ex. Piney Fork

Symphyotrichum cordifolium ex. Piney Fork£6.50

Collected from a site destined for development! Branching stems bearing lots of lavender-blue flowers in late summer and autumn. 1m.


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Symphyotrichum ericoides 'Constance'

Symphyotrichum ericoides 'Constance'£6.50

Beautiful airy plants with masses of white starry flowers on fresh green bushy stems to 75cm. Lovely with grasses and Chrysanthemums. Average soil in sun.


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Symphyotrichum foliaceum coll. Montana

Symphyotrichum foliaceum coll. Montana£8.50

Clumps of deep green foliage and upright stems topped with heads of lavender-blue flowers in late summer. 50cm. Best in good soil in full sun, ideal with grasses like Panicum.


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Symphyotrichum laeve 'Glow in the Dark'

Symphyotrichum laeve 'Glow in the Dark'£7.50

An outstanding recent introduction with purple flushed deep green leaves and heads of light pink flowers in autumn to 1.5m. Reasonably self-supporting!


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Symphyotrichum laeve 'Les Moutiers'

Symphyotrichum laeve 'Les Moutiers'£5.00

A brilliant recent introduction from France with dark stems and clouds of good, pink flowers in autumn. Similar to 'Little Carlow' in habit and flower. Good soil in sun. 1m.


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Symphyotrichum laeve 'Nightshade'

Symphyotrichum laeve 'Nightshade'£4.50

Amazing glowing lavender blue flowers on dark stems clothed with deep green leaves in autumn. Strong upright habit to 1.4m. Good soil in sun.


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Symphyotrichum laeve 'Novemberblau'

Symphyotrichum laeve 'Novemberblau'£6.50

Just about the last "aster" to flower here well into November. Masses of relatively large lavender blue flowers on branched stems up to 1.5m. Average soil in sun.


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Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Betel Nut'

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Betel Nut'£6.50

Striking reddish pink flowers of a very good size on this selection from Great Dixter. Strong upright habit to 1.5m or perhaps a little more. Mildew resistant. Sun, good soil.


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Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Saint Michael's'

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Saint Michael's'£6.50

Pretty, semi-double flowers in a rich light purple on this form to 1.5m. Upright clumps with strong stems and no mildew. Average to good soil, sun.


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Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Treasure'

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Treasure'£4.50

Large flowers of a light purple on this tough, mildew resistant cultivar. Good soil in full sun. 1.2m.


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Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Violetta'

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Violetta'£6.50

Deep violet purple flowers with distinctly orange tinted golden centres on strong stems to 1.2m-1.5m in autumn. An excellent form. Average soil in full sun for preference.


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