Aster novi-belgii Rosenquarz

Aster novi-belgii 'Rozenquartz' is an old German variety, still highly appreciated for its floribundity,  disease resistance, reliability and pink-silver flowering of rare lightness for an aster of this category. On a beautiful-sized, bushy tuft, a profusion of flowers resembling small lilac-pink daisies but with very narrow petals bloom, giving the flowering a very natural aspect in late summer or early autumn. This perennial settles in the garden for a long time, at the back of a border, in moist ordinary soil.

The 'Rozenquartz' aster belongs to the asteraceae family. From spring, it develops an upright and branched, tufted habit. It will reach 90 cm (35in) to 1m (3ft) in height when flowering and will rapidly spread over 60 cm (24in). The very generous flowering takes place in September-October. The flowers are bordered on the outside by thin Pink-silver/mauve 'petals', and are yellow-orange in the centre, becoming darker. These daisy-shaped flowers are very light and measure about 5 cm (2in) in diameter. The plant is deciduous and dries up completely every winter. The smooth and branching stems bear dense foliage, composed of thin, elongated, pointed, dark green and shiny leaves. This plant spreads through underground woody rhizomes but does not become invasive.

Asters are essential in English-style gardens, cottage gardens, or wildflower borders. They are undemanding and blend very well with other plants such as grasses, Salvia microphylla, Dahlias, and perennial daylilies.These cheerful perennials accompany the return of autumn and the splendour of autumn foliage. 'Rosenquarz' aster is nicely highlighted by magenta daisies like 'Crimson Brocade' or Solidago sempervirens.