Aster turbinellus, Aster

Easy to grow and disease-resistant this North American Michaelmas daisy has tall, graceful wiry stems which become covered in violet daisies for weeks in autumn. Despite its height, it never needs staking and apart from dividing up and replanting clumps every few years, it virtually looks after itself. This variety of the New England aster is just what you need to cheer you and your herbaceous border up in early autumn. Forming fine clumps of mid-green and slightly hairy foliage, the tops of its branched stems erupt into large white flowers from August to November. It thrives in any well drained and sunny position and divide old clumps every few years in spring.