Aster novi-belgii Marie Ballard

<strong>Asters are perennial plants that brighten up borders in</strong> <strong>autumn</strong> with their colourful flowering! They are the quintessential late summer flower! There are countless varieties, which come in beautiful shades of <strong>blue, purple, white, or pink</strong>. Although the most common are <strong>autumn asters, such as <em>Aster novi-belgii</em></strong> (now <em>Shymphyotrichum novi-belgii</em>)<strong>,</strong> there are also varieties that flower in spring or summer, such as <strong>the <em>Alpine Aster</em> (<em>Aster alpinus</em>)</strong>. We are enamoured with their bright, starry blooms! With their airy and light appearance, the taller varieties add a lot of volume when placed at the back of a border. In contrast, <strong>dwarf asters</strong>, such as <em>Aster dumosus</em> (or <em>Symphyotrichum dumosum</em>), beautifully enhance the front of borders! <strong>Asters are very hardy autumn perennials</strong> that are low-maintenance, making them <strong>fairly easy to grow</strong>. They thrive in <strong>well-drained soils</strong> and <strong>sunny exposures</strong>. Some, like <em>Aster pringlei</em> 'Monte Cassino', are a true solution for dry and hot soils, where other plants struggle to grow. Asters spread easily thanks to their rootstocks and can sometimes naturalise. They are quite simple to <strong>multiply by</strong> <strong>division</strong>. The shorter varieties adapt well to <strong>container cultivation</strong> or will thrive in <strong>rock gardens</strong>. Asters are quite versatile plants... their only weakness is being <strong>sensitive to powdery mildew</strong>! But for that, it is enough to choose resistant varieties, such as the New England Asters (<em>Symphyotrichum novae-angliae</em>).