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.
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.
A favourite hybrid Aster with palest pink flowers on dense bushy plants in autumn. Pale yellow centres turn to pinkish red. Mildew resistant. Best in good soil in full sun. 75cm.
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.
A striking recent introduction from Sarastro with a mass of lavender blue flowers on dark stems and leaves in October onwards. Arching, cascading habit. 90cm.
Taller and upright this lovely lavender blue flowered autumn daisy glows as the nights draw in. Rich green foliage provides a good contrast. Good soil. 1.4m.
New to cultivation in the UK as far as I can tell this autumn flowering species is a showy surprise. Bright, light lavender flowers for many weeks to 75cm.
An outstanding recent introduction with purple flushed deep green leaves and heads of light pink flowers in autumn to 1.5m. Reasonably self-supporting!
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.
A striking white flowered form of 'Climax', the flowers contrasting well with the dark green foliage. Best in good soil in full sun. Usually to 1.2m but potentially to 1.8m.
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.
An old favourite of ours with mildew resistant foliage and masses heads of clear pink flowers from August to October. Can be "Chelsea-chopped". Best in good soil in full sun. 1.4m.
Grown from wild collected seed in an area for development. Beautiful light purple flowers with orange-yellow centres to 1.5m. Mildew resistant. Good soil in sun.
Pretty silvery blue flowers of a decent size on strong stems to 1.5m. A good, earlier flowering species, August into late autumn, well worth trying in good soil in sun.
A rare hybrid "Aster" producing clumps of upright stems with heads of bright, light, blue flowers in late autumn to 1.2m. Rarely seen and well worth growing! Average soil in sun.
