Aster
Michaelmas Daisy

ASTERACEAE / COMPOSITAE
Herbaceous Perennial

Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Marie Ballard'

Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Appleblossom'

Almost everyone has heard of Asters, However, 'Aster' is both a Common Name and a Botanical Name, and this could lead to some confusion for devotees of 'Gardeners World' and 'Royal Horticultural Society' publications. True Botanical 'Asters' are the herbaceous perennials we have all come to know as the cottage garden plants that are closely related to Michaelmas Daisies, whilst the annual forms we also know by the Common Name 'Aster' are in fact Botanically 'Callistephus'. Confusion can arise because many seed companies such as Thompson & Morgan list Callistephus. chinensis under 'Asters' and not 'Callistephus'. However, T&M have promised to review their listings to reflect dual inclusion under both categories to keep in line with the terminological inexactitude shown by many gardening commentators.

Botanical Asters are a genus of deciduous or evergreen sub-shrubs and herbaceous perennials, which produce daisy-like flowers in summer-autumn. They range from fully hardy to half hardy, preferring full sun or partial shade, and a fertile, well-drained, but moisture retentive soil, indeed the soil must be kept moist throughout the summer.

Asters are particularly useful since they will be producing of their best, well into the autumn, when many other flowers have ended their displays. 

Tall cultivars really need to be staked or provided with twiggy support through which they can grow, if they are not to be knocked down by rain or wind.

Varieties: -
Aster. acris See: Aster. sedifolius 
Aster. albescens

Syn: Microglossa. albescens
Form: Deciduous, upright, slender-stemmed, sub-shrub.
Frost Hardy:
Height: 3ft (1m)
Spread: 5ft (1.5m)
Foliage: Having narrow, lanceolate, grey-green leaves 
Flowers: In mid-summer producing flattish heads of lavender-blue flower-heads with yellow centres.
Aster. alpinus

 

Form: A clump-forming, spreading perennial.
Height: 6in (15cm)
Spread: 12-18in (30-45cm)
Foliage: Dark-green, lanceolate, leaves
Flowers: From mid- to late-summer, producing daisy-like, purplish-blue or pinkish-purple flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. alpinus
Var 'Dark Beauty' 		See:  Aster. alpinus 'Dunkle Schone'
Aster. alpinus
Var 'Dunkle Schone'

Syn: Aster. alpinus 'Dark Beauty'
Form: A clump-forming perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 10in (25cm)
Spread: 18in (45cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green leaves
Flowers: From mid- to late-summer, deep-purple flower heads are carried at the top of slender stems.

 
Aster. amellus
var 'King George'

 

Form: Bushy perennial
Height: 20in (50cm)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Rough, oval, leaves
Flowers: In autumn, many violet-blue flower-heads, with yellow centres, are carried atop slender stems.

 
Aster. amellus
var 'Mauve Beauty'

Form: Bushy perennial
Height: 20in (50cm)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Coarse, lanceolate, mid-green leaves.
Flowers: In autumn producing large, violet flower-heads with yellow centres.

 
Aster. amellus
var 'Nocturne'

 
 

Form: A bushy perennial
Height: 30in (75cm)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Coarse, lanceolate, mid-green leaves.
Flowers: In autumn producing deep lilac flowers with yellow centres

 
Aster. amellus
var 'Rudolph Goethe'

Form: Bushy perennial
Height: 30in (75cm)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Coarse, lanceolate, mid-green leaves.
Flowers: In autumn producing large, violet-blue flowers with yellow centres

 
Aster. amellus
var 'Sonia'

Form: Bushy perennial
Height: 30in (75cm)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Coarse, lanceolate, mid-green leaves.
Flowers: In autumn producing pink flowers with yellow centres

 

Aster. amellus
var 'Veilchenkonigin'

Syn: Aster. amellus 'Violet Queen'
Form: Bushy perennial
Height: 30in (75cm)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Coarse, lanceolate, mid-green leaves.
Flowers: In autumn producing deep-violet flowers with yellow centres

 

Aster. amellus
'Violet Queen'

 See: Aster. amellus var 'Veilchenkonigin'
Aster. capensis See: Felicia. amelloides
Aster. chinensis See: Callistephus
Aster. cordifolius
var 'Silver Spray'

 

Form: Bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 4ft (1.2m)
Spread: 3ft (1m)
Foliage: Lanceolate, mid-green leaves
Flowers: In autumn, producing dense, arching stems, carrying sprays of small, pink-tinged, white flowers
Needs staking

 
Aster. diffusus See: Aster. lateriflorus
Aster. ericoides
var 'Golden Spray'

 

Form: Bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 3ft (1m)
Spread: 1ft (30cm)
Foliage: Having small, lanceolate, mid-green leaves, and freely branching slender stems
Flowers: From late-summer to early autumn, producing many daisy-like, pink tinged, white flower-heads, with golden-yellow centres

 
Aster. ericoides
var 'White Heather'

 

Form: Bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 3ft (1m)
Spread: 1ft (30cm)
Foliage: Having small, lanceolate, mid-green leaves, and freely branching slender stems
Flowers: In late-autumn, producing many long-lasting, white flower-heads, with golden-yellow centres

 
Aster. frikartii
var 'Monch'

 

Form: Bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 30in (75cm)
Spread: 18in (45cm)
Foliage: Leaves are oval and rough.
Flowers: From mid-summer to late-autumn, bearing daisy-like, soft lavender-blue flowers, with greenish-yellow centres.

 
Aster. frikartii
var 'Wunder von Stafa'

 

Form: Bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 30in (75cm)
Spread: 18in (45cm)
Foliage: Leaves are oval and rough.
Flowers: From mid-summer to late-autumn, bearing daisy-like, soft lavender flowers, with greenish-yellow centres.

 
Aster. lateriflorus

 

Syn: Aster. diffusus
Form: Branching perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 24in (60cm)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Small, dark, lanceolate leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, bearing sprays of tiny pale mauve flowers with pinkish-brown centres.

 
Aster. lateriflorus
var 'Horizontalis'

Form: Branching perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 24in (60cm)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Small, dark, lanceolate leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, bearing sprays of tiny pink-tinged mauve flowers with dark-pink centres.

 
Aster. linosyris

 

Form: An upright, non-branching perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 24in (60cm)
Spread: 12in (30cm)
Foliage: Narrow lanceolate leaves
Flowers: From late-summer to autumn, producing numerous, small, densely-packed, single, golden-yellow flowers.

 
Aster. linosyris
var 'Goldilocks'

 

 Form: An upright, non-branching perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 24in (60cm)
Spread: 12in (30cm)
Foliage: Narrow lanceolate leaves
Flowers: From late-summer to autumn, producing numerous, small, densely-packed, double, golden-yellow flowers.

 
Aster. novae-angliae
var 'Andenken an Alma Potschke'

 

Syn: Aster. novae-angliae 'Alma Potschke'
Form: A vigorous, upright, perennial.
Fully Hardy:
Height: 30in (75cm)
Spread: 24in (60cm)
Foliage: Has rough, lanceolate leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, bears clusters of single, pink flowers on stiff stems.

 
Aster. novae-angliae
var 'Autumn Snow'		 See:  Aster. novae-angliae 'Herbstschnee'
Aster. novae-angliae
var 'Barr's Pink'

 

Syn: Aster. novae-angliae 'Alma Potschke'
Form: A vigorous, upright, perennial.
Fully Hardy:
Height: 30in (75cm)
Spread: 24in (60cm)
Foliage: Has rough, lanceolate leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, bears clusters of semi-double, bright rose-pink flowers on stiff stems.

 
Aster. novae-angliae
var 'Harrington's Pink'

 

Syn: Aster. novae-angliae 'Alma Potschke'
Form: A vigorous, upright, perennial.
Fully Hardy:
Height: 4-5ft (1.2-1.5m)
Spread: 24in (60cm)
Foliage: Has rough, lanceolate leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, bears clusters of single, clear pink flowers, with orange-yellow centres, carried on stiff stems.

 
Aster. novae-angliae
var 'Herbstschnee'

 

Syn: Aster. novae-angliae 'Autumn Snow'
Form: A vigorous, upright, perennial.
Fully Hardy:
Height: 2.5-3.5ft (75cm-1.1m)
Spread: 24in (60cm)
Foliage: Has rough, lanceolate leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, bears clusters of single, white flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Appleblossom'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 3ft (1m)
Spread: 24-30in (60-75cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, mid-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, panicles of single, soft-pink, flowers.
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Carnival'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 30in (75cm)
Spread: 18in (45cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, double, cerise-red, flowers, with yellow centres.
Susceptible to Mildew

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Chequers'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 36in (1m)
Spread: 24-30in (60-75cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, single, purple, flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Climax'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 5ft (1.5m)
Spread: 2ft (60cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, single, light-blue, flowers, with yellow centres.
Mildew resistant

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Fellowship'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 4ft (1.2m)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, large, double, clear, deep-pink flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Freda Ballard'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 4ft (1.2m)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, semi-double, rich rose-red flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Jenny'

Form: A compact bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 1ft (30cm)
Spread: 18in (45cm)

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Kristina'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 12in (30cm)
Spread: 18in (45cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, semi-double, white flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Lady in Blue'		 Form: A compact bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 1ft (30cm)
Spread: 20in (50cm)

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Lassie'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 4ft (1.2m)
Spread: 30in (75cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, large, single, clear, pink flowers, with orange-yellow centres.

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Little Pink Beauty'

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 18in (45cm)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, semi-double, pink flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Little Pink Lady'		 Form: A compact bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 15in (40cm)
Spread: 20in (50cm)

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Marie Ballard'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 3ft (1m)
Spread: 18in (45cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, double, mid-blue flowers.
Susceptible to Mildew

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Orlando'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 3ft (1m)
Spread: 18in (45cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, single, bright-pink flowers, with golden-yellow centres.
Susceptible to Mildew

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Patricia Ballard'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 4ft (1.2m)
Spread: 30in (75cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, semi-double, bright-pink flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Peace'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 4ft (1.2m)
Spread: 30in (75cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, large, single, mauve flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Raspberry Ripple'

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 30in (75cm)
Spread: 24in (60cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, single, reddish-violet flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Royal Ruby'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 18in (45cm)
Spread: 18in (45cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, semi-double, rich-red flowers.
Susceptible to Mildew

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Royal Velvet'

 

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 4ft (1.2m)
Spread: 30in (75cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, single, deep-violet flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Sandford White Swan'

Form: Vigorous, spreading, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 3ft (1m)
Spread: 24in (60cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing, white flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Schone von Dietlikon'		 Form: A compact bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 3ft (1m)
Spread: 18in (45cm)

 
Aster. novi-belgii
var 'Snowsprite'		 Form: A compact bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 10-12in (25-30cm)
Spread: 18in (45cm)

 
Aster. pilosus
var demotus

 

 Syn: Aster. tradescantii of gardens
Fully Hardy:
Form: Erect perennial.
Height: 4ft (1.2m)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Mid-green, lanceolate leaves
Flowers: In autumn, clusters of small white flowers are borne on wiry, leafy stems

 
Aster. pilosus
var 'Monte Casino'		 Form: A compact bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 3ft (1m)
Spread: 12in (30cm)

 
Aster.
'Professor Anton Kippenburg'

 

 Form: A compact bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 12in (30cm)
Spread: 18in (45cm)
Foliage: Lanceolate, dark-green, leaves.
Flowers: In autumn, producing large clusters of daisy-like, clear blue flowers, with yellow centres.

Aster. pyrenaeus
var 'Lutetia'		 Form: A compact bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 2ft (60cm)
Spread: 3ft (1m)

 
Aster. sedifolius Syn: Aster. acris
Form: Bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 3ft (1m)
Spread: 2ft (60cm)
Foliage: Bright-green, narrowly oval leaves
Flowers: In autumn, carrying clusters of star-shaped, lavender-blue flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. sedifolius 
'Nanus'		 Form: A bushy, dome forming, perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 20in (50cm)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Bright-green, narrowly oval leaves
Flowers: In autumn, carrying clusters of star-shaped, lavender-blue flowers, with yellow centres.

 
Aster. thomsonii Form: An upright perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 3ft (1m)
Spread: 20in (50cm)
Foliage: Slightly heart-shaped, mid-green leaves
Flowers: In autumn, bearing clusters of many long-petalled, pale-lilac flowers.

 
Aster. thomsonii
'Nanus'

 

 Form:  An upright perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 18in (45cm)
Spread: 9in (23cm)
Foliage: Slightly heart-shaped, mid-green leaves
Flowers: In autumn, bearing clusters of many long-petalled, pale-lilac flowers.

 
Aster. tongolensis Form:  A mat-forming perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 20in (50cm)
Spread: 12in (30cm)
Foliage: Hairy, lanceolate, dark-green leaves
Flowers: In early summer, producing large, lavender-blue flowers, with orange centres.

 
Aster. tradescantii See: Aster. pilosus
Aster. turbinellus Form: A compact bushy perennial
Fully Hardy:
Height: 4ft (1.2m)
Spread: 2ft (60cm)

 
Aster Composition

A Thompson & Morgan Mixture of Aster Novi-Belgi and Aster Novae-Angliae composed for a contrasting rich colour range of long stemmed autumnal flowers for cutting.


© Thompson & Morgan

 

Form: Hardy Herbaceous Perennials
Flowers: Autumn
Height: 36 inches
Position: Full Sun
US Zones: 4 5 6 7 8
Ideal For: Borders, Cut Flowers

Sowing Instructions: Germinate February to July at 68-86oF (20-30oC) on the surface of a good free draining, damp seed compost. Do not cover seed. Place in a propagator or seal container inside a polythene bag until after germination which usually takes 21-100 days. Do not exclude light at any stage, as this helps germination.
Transplant seedlings when large enough to handle into trays or 3in (7.5cm) pots. Grow on in cooler, well lit conditions for 10-15 days before planting out after all risk of frost, 12in (30cm) apart.

 
Callistephus chinensis 
'Giant Single Andrella'

Half-hardy Annual
Flowers: Summer to frost
Height: 24 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cut Flowers, Patios, Tubs

 
Callistephus chinensis 
'Ostrich Plume Mixed'

Half-hardy Annual
Flowers: Summer to frost
Height: 18 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cut Flowers, Patios, Tubs

 
Callistephus chinensis
'Blue & Red Ribbon'

Half Hardy Annual
Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 10 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cottage Gardens

 
Callistephus chinensis 
'Blue Ribbon'

Half Hardy Annual
Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 10 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cottage Gardens

 
Callistephus chinensis 
'Carpet Ball Mixed'

Half-hardy Annual
Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 8 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cottage Gardens

 
Callistephus chinensis 
'Comet Mixed'

Half-hardy Annual
Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 12 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cut Flowers

 
Callistephus chinensis 
'Duchess Mixed'

Half-hardy Annual
Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 24 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders

 
Callistephus chinensis 
'Early Ostrich Plume Finest Mixed'

Half-hardy Annual
Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 18 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cut Flowers

 
Callistephus chinensis
'Floral Decoration'

Half-hardy Annual
Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 24 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cut Flowers

 
Callistephus chinensis
'Florette Champagne'

Half-hardy Annual
Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 24 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cut Flowers

 
Callistephus chinensis
'Lilliput Blue Moon'

Half-hardy Annual
Flowers: Summer
Height: 24 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Patios, Tubs

 
Callistephus chinensis 
'Milady Mixed'

Half-hardy Annual
Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 12 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cut Flowers

 
Callistephus chinensis
'Moonshine Mixed'

New - T&M Exclusive

Half-Hardy Annual
Flowers: Summer
Height: 24 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Borders, Cut Flowers

 
Callistephus chinensis
'Operetta Mixed'

Half-hardy Annual Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 20 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders

 
Callistephus. chinensis 
'Pink Tower'

Form: Half Hardy Annual
Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 24 inches
Position: Full Sun
Awards: Fleuroselect Quality
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cottage Gardens

 
Callistephus chinensis 
'Pompon Splendid Mixed'

Half-hardy Annual

Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 18 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders

 
Callistephus chinensis 
'Pruhonicer Dwarf Mixed'

Form: Half-hardy Annual

Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 12 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cottage Gardens

 

Callistephus. chinensis 
Red Ribbon

Half Hardy Annual

Flowers: Late Summer
Height: 10 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cottage Gardens

 
Callistephus chinensis 
'Spider Chrysanthemum Mixed'

Half Hardy Annual

Flowers: All Summer
Height: 24 inches
Position: Full Sun
Ideal For: Bedding, Borders, Cottage Gardens

 

 

Cultivation: -

Some need fertile soil in semi-shade, and others a well drained fully sunny aspect

For larger flowers remove weaker shoots during the spring and pinch out the top 1-2in (2.5-5cm) of the remaining strong shoots to encourage healthy bushier plants.

Mildew can be a real problem for many of the species, thus it is useful to spray against Mildew with a good fungicide (please do not spray your Fuchsias with any remaining fungicide)

 

Propagation: -

Botanical Asters should be propagated by seed in late summer or early autumn when the seed is fresh: or
Softwood cuttings taken in the spring: or
Division in spring or autumn.

 

Fully Hardy

Pests & Diseases: -

Asters are susceptible to attack by Mildew, particularly if allowed to get too dry. Try to obtain the Mildew resistant varieties.

Many insects attack both the soft leaves and stems of Asters.

 

 

This page was last updated on 16/02/2004

 

 
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