Aster novae-angliae
New England aster, Michaelmas aster
Also known as Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
- Height × spread
- 0.6m – 1.6m × 0.6m – 0.6m
- Position
- Full sun
Availability
Generally available in late Summer & early Autumn
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
An American immigrant which has comfortably established itself as a valued part of the autumn garden. They produced many fine-petalled daisy flowers in late summer and early autumn. These come in shades of white, pink, red, blue and purple, all having gold at their hearts. The taller forms are likely to require staking. They like sunshine but are extremely easy going as to soil and moisture, very hardy, and deliver a huge floral bounty.
- Flower colour
- Blue, Lilac, Pink, Purple, Red, Violet, White
- Foliage colour
- Blue, Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Bell, Dome, Fan
- Height
- 0.6m – 1.6m
- Spread
- 0.6m – 0.6m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Wild flower meadow, Small scale garden, Seaside garden, Prairie garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal), Poor soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Winter hardiness
- Varies, most are hardy
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Rabbit resistant, Bee attraction, Butterfly attraction, Bird attraction
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn - late · Outdoors
Apply mulch
Spread organic material around the plant being careful not to bury its crown, or to put the mulch above the point at which the plant has been grafted in the case of trees.
A mulch is a covering that can: protect the soil surface from rain, heat and cold; deter weeds; provide nutrients. Organic indicates that material has vegetative origin e.g. manure, compost. Synthetics i.e. plastics, or stones are often called mulches.
Autumn - late · Planting
Divide every 3 years
Physically divide clumps every three years, or the plant will flower and grow less well. Discard or give away unwanted portions, or replant them to make a larger display. Plants can sometimes take a while to recover from this procedure.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Planting
Support young plants
Provide support for young plants, and tie in any growth to the support to keep it tidy.
Planting & general
Planting
Deadhead blooms during flowering season
Remove flowers as they turn brown and fade. Snip the stem just below the bloom. This will keep the plant tidy and encourage more flowers.
The removal of spent flowers encourages the plant to produce fresh ones, rather than spend its energy on the development of seeds.
Found in
More Aster
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Michaelmas daisy, Starwort
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Aster novi-belgii 'Jenny'
New York aster, Michaelmas daisy
Aster novi-belgii 'Lady in Blue'
New York aster, Michaelmas daisy
Aster novi-belgii 'Little Pink Beauty'
New York aster, Michaelmas daisy