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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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.
Heads of relatively large white flowers over clumps of large pale green leaves. Summer to autumn flowering, to 60cm. Ordinary soil in sun or light shade.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
An outstanding recent introduction with purple flushed deep green leaves and heads of light pink flowers in autumn to 1.5m. Reasonably self-supporting!
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.
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.
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.
