When is an aster not an aster?

Answer: when it is a Symphyotrichum.  In recent years many of the plants we knew as asters or Michaelmas daisies have had their names changed as botanists have been examining their DNA and reclassifying them.  They are in full flower at the moment and butterflies and bees are flocking to them.  Here are some of the ones I've got.


Symphyotrichum noveo-angliae 'Purple Dome'.  This is a great plant, growing in a dome shape up to 75cm tall and producing masses of 'vivid violet purple' flowers during September and October.  I bought it at Wisley many years ago and split it about three years ago as the dome grew into an amoeba shape.  I've now got four plants all growing in different light conditions.  Shaded ones take longer to come into flower.


Symphyotrichum 'Andenken an Alma Potschke' .  At least I think it is - I was given it by a friend who labelled it 'bright pink'.  It's about a metre tall and falls forward a bit.  It's much admired - I've been asked for a piece of it yesterday and today.  I'll split it in Spring when it starts to grow again.  The advice is that you do this every three years, and replant to maintain vigour.


Eurybia divaricatus - not all asters became symphyotrichums!  Unlike many of the aster family which do best in sun, this one grows in the shade and flowers over a long period from late August.  The leaves in photo don't belong to it by the way - they are Geranium pyrenacium 'Bill Wallis' which self seeds freely.


Aster frikartii 'Monch', the first aster I acquired and the only one still an aster.  It was wonderful for  years and then I split it.  It's never regained it's vigour and didn't transplant well, perhaps because it was old.  I'll have to try mulching it to get it going again when it dies back, or replace it as it's a favourite.  The flowers are lavender blue with yellow centres, about 5cm in diameter, coming out in August carrying on till the end of autumn.  


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