Aster amellus Peach Blossom - European Michaelmas-daisy

The 'Peach Blossom' Amellus Aster is a variety of Summer Aster that is interesting for its flowers, which are a lovely pink with mauve highlights in heads which are  large for the species. This bushy plant is of medium size, not very sensitive to wind, and blooms abundantly in the second half of summer, until the beginning of autumn. This aster beautifies and enlivens flower beds during a period that is sometimes lacking in colour, bridging the gap between summer blooms and autumn colour.

The Peach Blossom Amellus Aster belongs to the asteraceae family and is a horticultural selection. The wild species originates from Eastern Europe and Turkey, where it grows in hilly and mountainous areas in meadows, clearings, forest edges, slopes, and along paths. This plant is absent from the Mediterranean region. The Peach Blossom cultivar is a compact, upright perennial plant with few branches. It will quickly reach 55-60 cm (22-24in) high when in bloom and spread over 45 cm (18in). The abundant flowering takes place from August to early October. The inflorescence is a head with ligulate peripheral flowers that are a fairly vivid lavender pink. The central flowers (the heart) are a yellow-orange. The heads measure approximately 5 cm (2in) in diameter and are grouped in short corymbs of 2 to 6. The above-ground vegetation dries up and dies in late autumn. The medium green basal leaves are slightly hairy, rough on both sides, usually entire, oblong, and lanceolate. The stem leaves are sessile, meaning they have no petiole and are directly attached to the stem, with sharp tips. This plant spreads laterally through woody underground rhizomes but does not become invasive.

The Amellus Asters are undemanding and pair well with all other plants in flower beds and borders such as perennial salvias or shrubby salvias, gauras, catmints, or agastaches, for example. These perennials accompany the return of autumn and the splendour of autumn foliage. Try combining pink and blue asters with 'Grace' Smokebush or dwarf winged euonymus: the colour combination is surprising. These plants are also excellent cut flowers.