Aster novae-angliae Madame Loyau

<p><strong>Asters are perennial plants that brighten up flower beds in</strong> <strong>autumn</strong> with their colourful blooms! They are the quintessential late summer flower! There are countless varieties, available in beautiful shades of <strong>blue, purple, white or pink</strong>. Although the most common are the <strong>autumn asters, such as <em>Aster novi-belgii</em></strong> (now <em>Shymphyotrichum novi-belgii</em>)<strong>,</strong> there are also spring or summer-flowering varieties, such as <strong>the <em>Alpine aster</em> (Aster alpinus)</strong>. We adore their bright, starry blooms! With their airy and light appearance, tall varieties add great volume when placed at the back of flower beds. Conversely, <strong>dwarf asters</strong>, like <em>Aster dumosus</em> (or <em>Symphyotrichum dumosum</em>), wonderfully enhance the front of flower beds!</p> <p><strong>Asters are very hardy autumn perennials</strong> and undemanding, making them <strong>quite easy to grow</strong>. They prefer <strong>well-drained soil</strong> and <strong>sunny positions</strong>. Some, like <em>Aster pringlei</em> ‘Monte Cassino’, are an excellent solution for dry and hot areas where other plants struggle to grow. Asters spread easily via their rhizomes and can sometimes naturalise. They are quite simple to <strong>propagate by division</strong>. The shorter varieties adapt well to <strong>container growing</strong> or thrive in <strong>rock gardens</strong>. Asters are quite versatile plants… their only weakness is being <strong>susceptible to powdery mildew</strong>! But for this, simply choose resistant varieties, such as the New England asters (<em>Symphyotrichum novae-angliae</em>).</p>