Aster novae-angliae.
The 'New England Aster' is Aster novae-angliae, getting its name from the US states collectively known as 'New England'.
Flowering in late summer to autumn they are a bit of an old fashionedd stalwart in the cottage garden.
Landscapers tend to go through stages of loving them or disregarding them. Gardeners seem to be more accepting, and they have been widely grown for many years.
Also known as the Michaelmas dasies, they have been renamed recently and are now known as Symphyotrichum novae-anglliae, however mainly sold under the old name.
Over the years these free flowering plants have been highyly htbridised and over 80 named cultivars can be found from some specilaist nurseries.
Aster novae-angliae is no shrinking violet in the garden, varieties will reachfrom .5m to 1.5m in height. This mages them a cantidate for the mid to back of the garden border.
Given good soil plenty of sun they are hardy and upright in habit.
Varieties
Aster novae-angliae flower colours vary from white through to Lilac, Purple and Blue, all with golden yellow centers.
- 'Barrs Pink' - Excellent pink flowering form.
- 'Herbstschnee' - White flowering and reaching around 1 - 1.3m in height.
- 'Septemberrubin' - Found as September Rudy this is one of the best red to deep pink flowering varieties. Tall growing to 1.2m +.
- 'Purple Dome' - Lower growing and with a natural mound forming habit. Semi double purple flowers on a plant reaching around .6m in height. Excellent when pruned to shape.
- 'Violeta' - Tall to around 1.3m, violet flowers with yellow centers.
- 'Harringtons Pink' - Brilliant lipstick pink fully double flowers. Reaches around 1.4m in height.
- 'Alma Pötschke' - Bright pink to red flowers.
Aster novae-angliae Care
Plant, forget and prune. That how easy they are in most gardens.
Once the soil is prepared and they are planted and watered in you can usually forget about them until early to mid summer. This is the time to make a decision as to prune them back to maintain a smaller bushy habit, or just let them do their own thing. we thinkm that pruning is a great idea.
Over time they will form a clump, and they can be divided in early spring as the weather warms up. Most will also strike well from cuttings, an easy method of propagation
Care Summary
- Sunny position.
- Humus rich moist soil, with good draina ge.
- Prune early in the season to promote a more bushy habit with more flowers.
You may also be interested in
You can buy Aster flowers or plants online from the following suppliers
MOUNT FOLLY NURSERIES
Southwick Road North Boarhunt Near Wickham Hants PO17 6JH
Phone : 01329 832294 : : 07000 M-O-U-N-T-F :: 07000 F-U-C-H-S-I-A
Young plants specialists. Growing Fuchsias, Geraniums, Patio Plants and Plug Plants. One of the best selections available in the UK direct from the grower!
www.mountfolly.co.uk
CLAIRE AUSTIN HARDY PLANTS Hardy Plants
Tel: 01939 251173 - FAX: 01939 251637
Edgebolton, Shawbury, Shropshire, SY4 4EL
Mail order specialists of herbaceous perennials : Bearded irises, herbaceous & tree peonies. The catalogue and website list over 700 different varieties.
www.claireaustin-hardyplants.co.uk
