Why grow asters? For colour. For colour after the garden has past its summer peak, until the first frosts in late autumn. The chromatic powerhouse of the genus Aster is simply astonishing. Heavy on pinks, purples and blues, the some 250 species of Asters can turn on a kaleidoscope of hues to excite the most discerning eye at a time when the garden is winding down for winter.
What we see most in gardens everywhere, is a small selection of Asters sifted and sorted by nurserymen over the last hundred years. Their hybridization of the America-originating asters (such as the tall New England aster, A. novae-angliae and the New York aster, A. novi-belgii) with the European asters (like A. amellus) has created a magnificent palette for the willing gardener wanting to “colour-in” the autumn garden.
Yes, there are no bronze or orange varieties and only a few white asters. These tones though can be supplemented with companion plants like Helenium and Rudbeckia. Our perennial asters make brilliant bedmates with a huge choice of size shape, heights and stature. And yes! There is just one yellow, the mist-like Aster ‘linosyris’.
A SELECTION OF THE BEST:
Aster novae-angliae
Originates from New England (hence the name). It’s regarded by some as the most beautiful of all asters and is certainly one of the toughest and tallest of the genus. Its hairy leaves render it mildew resistant and easy to grow in sturdy strong clumps.
Aster n.a. ‘Alma Pötschke’
Found in gardens everywhere, the Aster na 'Alma Pötschke’ must be one of the most popular autumn asters about. A cultivar introduced in 1969 by Pötschke, A. n.a. Alma Pötschke’ has a genetic fault, shared by many of the other New England asters, that causes the petals to close at night. The “shocking pink“ colour sets this aster apart, but beware its not so easy to use well in company of other perennials. An AGM award winner.
Aster n.a. ‘Herbstschnee’
A recent newcomer to the aster family (introduced by H. Close in 1981), this aster when growing in generous sweeps really looks like snow in autumn (Herbst = autumn; Schnee = snow). As one of the tallest asters (130cm) it belongs at the back of beds and borders. 'Herbstschnee’ has the genetic error shared by all the New England cultivars that causes the first third of their stems to lose their leaves, go brown just before flowering. A petticoat of smaller autumn asters or companion plants planted at their feet will solve this problem.
Aster n.a. ‘Barr’s Blue’
Wonderful in company, A n.a. Barr’s Blue blends beautifully with her common brethren. Like A n.a. ‘Alma Pötschke, this New England cultivar can be seen idling about in generous clumps in many an autumn garden. Introduced by Barr’s Nurseries in the 1920’s, this aster (120 cm) is a boon at the back of beds particulary for lovers of the colour blue and in tall vases for friends of cut flowers.
Aster n.a. ‘Rosa Sieger’
Where there’s the Aster n.a. ‘Barr’s Blue there’s usually Aster n.a. ‚Rosa Sieger’. Its pure “ballet pink” has made it a winning aster choice since its intro-duction by the German plantsman K. Foerster in 1971 (Rosa Sieger = pink winner). 130m tall, this New England cultivar belongs in the back row with A na Barr’s Blue.
Aster n.a. ‘Rubinschatz’
'Rubinschatz', Ruby Jewel Karl Foerster dubbed this very unusual purple-pink autumn aster with deep yellow centres. Somewhat taller than the other pink flowering New England asters, ‘Rubinschatz’ commands a colour presence well into the dusk..
Aster n.a. ‘Purple Dome’
A relative newcomer (1990), the violet-purple ‘Purple Dome’ is one of the smallest of the Aster novae-angliae. It forms sturdy compact dome-shaped clumps. Discovered on the roadside in Pennsylvania, ‘Purple Dome’ flowers into the late autumn. www.northcreeknurseries.com
Aster x Frikatii
Every Swiss knows ‘Mönch’, ‘Eiger’ and ‘Jungfrau’. These mountain peaks inspired nurseryman Frikat when he named his famous Frikatii hybrids, parented by Aster amellus x Aster thomsonii some eighty years ago. ‘Wunder von Stäfa (not a peak but a Swiss village) followed. A. Frikatii’s success formula is its long flowering, big wheel-like flowers and “no mildew”. They need to be planted “larger-than-you-would-dare” groups and benefit from some physical support from Rudbeckia ‘Goldsturm’ (a combination recommended by Picton Holder of the English National Collection of Asters).
Aster novi belgii
Originally from the swamps of the East Coast of America, from New Foundland to Georgia, these asters have the largest choice of colour and form of any other aster.
A. n.b. ‘Maria Ballard’
The A. n.b. hybrid ‘Marie Ballard’ (1955) comes close to achieving Ernest Ballard’s life-long quest for the definitive blue aster. ‘Marie Ballard’s is an outstanding near-perfect “double” aster in a glowing remarkable light blue hue. A classic amongst the novi-belgii asters.
A. n.b. ‘Fellowship’
A beautiful late flowering pink novi-belgii aster, with double flower heads, with slightly quilled petals.
A. n.b. ‘Fuldatal’
One of the best of the purple flowering autumn asters, A. n.b. ‘Fuldatal’ was raised in 1971.
A. n.b. ‘Schöne von Dietikon’
An aster raised by the Swiss aster breeder Frikat. ‘Schöne von Dietlikon is a strong growing violet blue aster.
Aster cordifolius hybrid
‘Little Carlow’
This sturdy billowing aster with prolific small lavender flowers is easily spotted in herbaceous beds. It simply stands out and is outstanding. So much so the Royal Horticultural Society has given ‘Little Carlow’ their “best all-round” distinction, the AGM award. A great cut flower too.
Aster amellus
‘Blue King’
Aster amellus is a European species of aster named after the Italian river “Mella” that flows into the River Po. This aster has been around for the last two thousand years growing in Northern France, North Italy and as Far East as Siberia. A. amellus ’Blue King’ is a cultivar introduced fifty years ago, once very popular and now regaining lost favour because the flowers en masse are simply spectacular.
Aster divaricatus
‘The’ aster for shade. The small white spiked flowers of A. divaricatus are a welcome addition to that desperately difficult area of the garden. At home in dry soils of Quebec, Tennessee and Georgia A. divaricatus will withstand hard conditions flowering from late summer until late autumn. There are interesting cultivars ‘Perseus’ and ‘Raiche Form’ too.
Aster pyrenaeus
'Lutetia’
The professionals always mention this aster as one of their favouri-tes. An early late starter, flowering in July maintaining its big single star-shaped blooms free of mildew until late September. Sun and alkaline soils suit ‘Lutetia’ best. Planted in large groups this aster will form a massive pale lilac carpet specked with bees and colourful butterflies. A. pyreneaus ‘Lutetia’ has been around since its introduction in 1912, and is astonishingly under-used. It ‘s a great aster ‘net worker’ combining the stronger and more dominate colours of other asters.
Aster dumosus
‘Herbstgrüß von Bresserhof’ & ‚Kassel’ & ‚Starlight’
Belongs to the dwarf asters. Again this aster species comes original-ly from North America. Its stunted size and pillow-like form makes A. dumosus a wonderful addition to the first row in any herbaceous border. The line-up of ‘Herbstgrüß von Bresserhof’ & ‚Kassel’ & ‚Star-light’ all grow to 40cm and are pink; pink-red; and burgundy red re-spectively. Enough colour choice and staggered flowering times to combine with all other asters.
Aster sedifolius
‘Nanus’
The unusual sparsely petalled light blue flowers of A. sedifolius ‘Nanus’ appear in July heralding in the autumn aster year and continuing to flower well into autumn.
The USP of this small growing aster is the quantity of blooms it can produce with a stunning effect.
Aster ageratoides
‘Asran’
Has the “longest flowering-breath” of almost all the asters, flowering until the final November frosts. Credit alone to include it in the cast of garden asters. It grows to 80cm with creamy soft small blooms.
Aster linosyris
Special because of its yellow colour. Also special because of its very different flower form. Aster linosyris creates a golden-mist and combines beautifully with other asters. www.rz.uni-karlsruhe.de
Aster ericoides
‘Schneegitter’
The ericoides asters have made a name amongst florists. A. ericoides ‘Schneegitter’ has tiny pure-white star-like flowers that form a soft veil, a perfect foil in bouquets with other flowers or other asters. Perfect in the garden too and continuing to flower (depending on the weather) almost until Father Christmas arrives. This American aster is tolerant of dry growing conditions. Good too in pots.
Aster Snowflurry
A new aster that’s causing quite a stir. A crawling grower, that will drip over rocks and looks splendid “flowing” over steps.
www.northcreeknurseries.com
Intralink: “Supernovae”
Intralink: “Autumn Asters”
With special reference and appreciation to:
Paul Piction holder of the English National Collection of Asters
www.autumnasters.co.uk
and
Hermine Gruber plantswoman and owner of Stauden Feldweber, Austria
www.staude.at
Stauden Feldweber
Copyright © www.lifeart.net October/November 2005
