Asters contribute to the essence of the summer-through-autumn garden where their durability reminds us that these, sometimes overlooked, old favourites still deserve a place in our gardens.
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Renowned for their free flowering habit producing masses of daisy-like starry flowers in single, semi-double and double forms in colours of blue, pink, purple, red and white, asters are just the plant when something a little different in the way of brighter, decorative blooms is required.
Asters include many species ranging in heights from the attractive dwarf varieties that grow to 30cms high with medium growers to around 60cms and the taller types which can reach 1.5m.
Choose a planting position in full sun with moist, well-draining soil that has had plenty of organic compost dug into it.
Seedlings can be transplanted into the garden at spacings of 45cms between plants.
Mulch in summer to keep the roots cool and moist as it is essential the soil does not dry out.
Once established, asters are relatively frost-hardy.
In early spring pinch out the growing tips to promote a bushier plant and encourage more flowers.
Among the herbaceous perennial species the Michaelmas daisies are the most popular, blooming from late summer into autumn providing plenty of colour at a time when most perennials start to fade. Similar to the annual types, the colours and forms also make these excellent cut flowers.
The Symphyotrichum novae-angliae cultivars have tall, strong stems and are easy-to-grow plants.
Harrington's Pink is one of the most admired producing striking clusters of clear pink flowers on one-metre stems.
Perennial asters also grow to different heights which can be used to good effect. Plant the taller types about 60cms apart and 50cms for the lower growing ones.
They look showy when planted in bold groups or in mixed borders with other plants of similar height and colour.
Dwarf species and low-growing cultivars are suitable for rock gardens or as edging plants. Aster alpinus grows to 20cms high with single lavender/blue, yellow-eyed flowers.
Congested clumps of perennial asters need to be lifted every year, thinned out and replanted. When dividing, discard the older middle section and replant sections from the outside of the clump. This dividing up is essential for the continued production of quality blooms.
Another old favourite that has been in cultivation for hundreds of years and is becoming increasingly popular again is Campanula medium, known as Canterbury bells, with long spikes bearing upturned, open bell-shaped flowers in pastel shades of lilac, blue, pink, purple or white seen at their best when planted in cottage gardens or mixed borders.
Records indicate that Campanula medium was introduced into England around the late 1500s and later given the common name of Canterbury bells, thought to be due to the similarity of the bell-shaped flowers to the bells on the harnesses of pilgrims' horses as they travelled along the roads on their way to pay tribute at the shrine of Thomas a Becket in Canterbury.
Cultivars of Campanula medium include the stunning varieties of 'Flore Pleno' a double form in white, blue or pink flowers on tall spikes.
The Campanula family is a diverse group of over 300 species of annual, biennial and perennial plants, ranging from small groundcovers and alpine forms to tall, towering perennials.
Plant in full to part-sun in well-drained soil with moderate moisture. Throughout the flowering season remove spent blooms to prolong the blooming season and feed occasionally with a liquid fertiliser.
I love the older plants as they usually have an interesting legend associated with them.
