Asters, Michaelmas Daises – Celestial Favourites

Sep 26 2008 By Andrew Bourne of Van Hage garden company

Michaelmas is the forgotten quarter day.  Close to the autumn equinox and the increase of night, it marks the end of harvest and the beginning of the new farming year.

In medieval times Michaelmas, formally known as the Feast of St Michael the Archangel, was one of the most symbolic days of the year. Celebrated on the 29th September (11th October in old money), Michaelmas day marked the closing of accounts for tenants when rents were due and bills paid with the profits of a bountiful harvest.

Just as the day itself, its namesake, the evocative Michaelmas daisy or Aster, can be a spectacle of September or October, honouring the changing seasons with a celebration of star-like blooms.

“Granny’s favourite” Aster novi-belgii had notoriety for its trade-mark covering of powdery mildew, unwittingly giving the entire family a bad name.  A summer spray of fungicide puts pay to this - though when clean, this familiar ‘New York’ Aster still makes a favourite cut flower, with an angelic colour pallet.

Still, there are many members that are more or less resistant to the dreaded mould, giving rise to the present upsurge in popularity and respect for the flower of angels.
 
Aster amellus ‘Veilchenkönigin’ (‘Violet Queen’) is one of the ‘Italian Starworts’, hailing from Central and Eastern Europe.  Short stems (about 40cm/1ft 4in) boast spirited violet flowers, preferring alkaline soil with good drainage in winter - though just as the rest of the family, moisture-retaining humus and regular dividing in spring retains vigour. 
As modern symbols of love, daintiness, afterthought and variety, asters take their name from the ancient Greek meaning "star" and refer to the flower's celestial blooms.   Long considered enchanted, their wildflower beauty and billowing texture, seem apt as the earthly celebration of the Archangel St Michael.
Aster divaricatus (syn. A. corymbosus) - the “white wood aster” so loved by Gertrude Jekyll in her woodland schemes, has the advantage of thriving in light or semi-shade, with a little moisture to do well. Noteworthy lax black stems support attractive, arrowhead clean leaves and branching heads of white-rayed daisies, with yellow-brown central florets.  As an incredibly useful herbaceous plant, A. divaricatus sprawls without concern, softening the front of a woodland border and bringing touches of sunshine to shade.

Considered talismans of love and symbols of patience, Michaelmas daisies are also known as “Starworts”, or “Frost Flowers” the world over.  Their star-like flowers can be found in a kaleidoscope of colours – white, cherry-red, pink, purple, lavender, and violet-blue, with mostly yellow centres.  As the birth flower for those born in September, asters also hold the honour of being the 20th wedding anniversary celebratory bloom – making them perfect to use in bouquets for either occasion.
Aster ericoides – the densely branching “heath aster” from North America is one of the shorter varieties that requires no staking.  Stems reach up to 90cm (3ft) and radiate myriads of tiny flowers in arching sprays.  Remaining neat and tidy throughout summer, A. ericoides is not prone to wilt, with an array of colourful cultivars to compliment almost every planting.
As the stars of the autumn herbaceous border, this popular herbaceous perennial from the genus Asteracea is indigenous to all continents, except Australia and Antarctica, with more than 600 recognisable types worldwide.

Aster novae-angliae is one of the toughest species to have established itself in our gardens and is resilient to the dreaded mildew that blights A. novae-belgii.   Two superb cultivars have emerged to lift the dullest autumnal day - ‘Herbstschnee’ (‘Autumn Snow’) as its name suggests, is an angelic white, while ‘Alma Potschke’ is a radiant ruby red.

Considered one of the best, A. x frikartii ‘Monch’ boasts many advantages over other daisies.  Free-flowering from mid-summer to autumn, ‘Monch’ does not require staking; is mildew resistant and has received an Award of Garden Merit from the Royal Horticultural Society for its natural abilities.  Intense violet-blue, beautifully rayed blooms are a joy to place in the garden, associating well with other autumnal flowers and ornamental grasses, lending crisp, crystalline clarity.  Deserving of the best soil and conditions, ‘Monch’ is named after a famous Swiss mountain and is considered one of the six best perennial plants, ever!

IN THE GARDEN THIS WEEK…

The principle for planting a winter hanging basket is the same as for a summer display – with winter flowering pansies being one of the most reliable colour options.

Plant up during September or October, using multi-purpose compost for a lightweight display, JI no. 2 mix for more permanent plants, or Ericaceous for all acid-loving heaths and heathers.

Line wire baskets with moss, ready-made cardboard liners, fibrous fleece or coir, sold for the purpose.

Choose a special ‘centrepiece’ – an evergreen or ornamental grass for structure and impact, infilling the sides with miniature bulbs, bedding and trailing evergreens, for a complete ‘ball’ of colour.