Aster novi-belgii Schone von Dietlikon

Aster novi-belgii 'Schone von Dietlikon' is a robust perennial that blooms between September and October, with a multitude of single blue-purple flowers with a yellow heart resembling small daisies. Its spreading crown produces branched stems, adorned with lanceolate, dark green, glossy leaves.

Aster novi-belgii 'Schone von Dietlikon' is an easy-to-grow, tall aster reaching 1.20m (4ft) in height which brings life to the garden in late summer and early autumn when most flowering perennials have faded. Aster novi-belgii, along with Aster novae-angliae, are the two main species of tall asters. They belong to the family of Asteraceae or Composites, which mostly includes herbaceous plants. The Aster genus offers a large number of species, represented by a multitude of floriferous varieties. They come in all sizes, with an extremely diverse range of colours.

This variety with its beautiful vibrant colours thrives in sunny or slightly shaded areas, sheltered from strong winds, in rich and moist soil. You can plant it at the back of flower beds, alongside chrysanthemums and other late-flowering perennials such as echinaceas, helianthus, or even with heucheras which create an excellent contrast of warm colours, or with grasses with fine foliage. These asters are also excellent cut flowers.

Several species of Aster are associated with each season, for spring, Aster alpinus or Aster tongolensis; for summer, Aster amellus or Aster frikartii; for autumn, Aster cordifolius, Aster dumosus, Aster ericoides, Aster lateriflorus, Aster novae-angliae, or Aster novi-belgii, for example