Aster
Aster meaning ‘star’ in Latin, prefer well-drained, fertile soil in full sun. Mulch in late autumn. If they are getting too congested, dig up and divide in the spring, which will encourage better flowering the following year.
Asters can be prone to mildew and slugs love to dine on the shoots just below the soil surface.
Aster novae-angliae is a mildew resistant variety that flowers from August through to October and they are good choice for cut flower arrangements.
Aster novi-belgii – the real Michaelmas daisy. They have great flower colours but can suffer from verticillium wilt.
Cultivars and varieties:
Aster 'Giant Princess Azure Blue'
Aster 'Giants of California' - Attract beneficial insects.
Aster 'Lady in Blue'
Aster 'Single Giant'
Aster cordifolius 'Little Carlow' - Prefers partial shade, bushy 3ft (90cm) purply-blue flowers.
Aster ericoides 'Ester' - Small pink flowers in October.
Aster lateriflorus 'Horizontalis' - Dense bush, small white flowers with pink edges.
Aster novae-angliae 'Lou Williams' - 5.5ft (170cm) large flowers.
Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' - 18in (45cm).
Aster novi-belgii 'Ada Ballard'
Aster novi-belgii 'Carnival' (Semi-double) - Great for a late show of flowers. red, semi-double.
Aster novi-belgii 'Crimson Brocade'
Aster novi-belgii 'Eventide'
Aster novi-belgii 'Fellowship' - Great for a late show of flowers, Pale pink.
Aster novi-belgii 'Lady Frances' - The flowers are shades of pale pink.
Aster novi-belgii 'Marie Ballard' (Double) - Great for a late show of flowers. Double blue.
Aster novi-belgii 'Rose Bonnet'
Aster novi-belgii 'Winston S Churchill'
Seeds to sow now:
Indoor or in a heated greenhouse
Ageratum
Aubergine
Bell pepper, Pepper, Sweet pepper
Cardoon
Celeriac
Celery
Columbine
Coriander
Cress
Floss flower, Ageratum
Forget-me-not
Ornamental pepper
Pepper
Outside
Antwerp hollyhock, Fig-leaved hollyhock, Hollyhock
Aubretia, Rock cress, Aubrieta, Aubrietia
Beetroot
Beetroot, Garden beet
Borecole, Kale
Bristly hollyhock
Broccoli
Brussels sprout
Cabbage
Carrot
Cauliflower
Kohl rabi
Normandy sorrel
Onion
Ornamental winter kale
Radish
Spinach
Spinach, Summer spinach
Spring onion
Sweet corn
Sweet pea
Turnip
Outside under cover
French marigold
Marrow
Onion
Snapdragon
Sweet corn
