Aster nova-angliae

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Just as many plants are winding down for winter, asters brighten up the garden. While many of the newer varieties are short, there are others four to five feet tall, and more suitable for a position at the back of the border. These are mainly novae-angliae varieties which have occurred naturally from a species that hails from Canada and parts of the United States.

They like an open, sunny position (the flowers will not open fully in shade), with a soil that is not too dry. Although mildew resistant, the lower leaves may be affected if the plants are under stress through lack of water. These also tend to die off as the plants come into flower, but this effect can be reduced by pinching out the young growth in spring when it is about six inches high. The flowers close in the evening, making them less suitable as cut flowers, and they do not adapt well to growing in containers, but in the garden are able to perform at their best.

Here is a clump of four different varieties in my garden just now

Looking at them in closer detail.

‘Violetta’ was the first one I bought. Photos never do justice to the really dark colour of the flowers on this plant

‘Harrington’s Pink’ is a strong grower, with paler pink flowers

‘Andenken an Alma Potschke’ is not a name that rolls off the tongue, and the colour may a bit violent for those who prefer more delicate shades

While my latest acquisition, the perversely named ‘Primrose Upward’, has flowers of a strong pink colour

Now I’m after a white-flowered variety to complete the autumn picture in this part of my garden.

• 16 Sep, 2014
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