Michaelmas Daisy

Aster x frikartii Monch

• Position: full sun
• Soil: well-drained, moderately fertile soil
• Rate of growth: average
• Flowering period: August to September
• Hardiness:fully hardy
  
  Masses of long lasting, lavender-blue, daisy-like flowers with orange centres from August to September and dark green leaves. These charming Michaelmas daisies are ideal for a mixed or herbaceous border with well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Best in full sun, they associate especially well with late summer flowering perennials such as Rudbeckia and Echinacea.
  
  
• Garden care: Stake with bamboo canes or brushwood in early spring. Water regularly during dry spells and deadhead regularly to prolong flowering. After flowering cut the flowered stems to the ground and apply a generous mulch of well-rotted garden compost or horse manure around the base of the plant.
  
  Asters are one of the easiest plants to take cuttings from. All you need to do is pull away sideshoots that have already rooted. These can then be potted up individually or planted directly in to the garden.