Aster. Symphotricum. (Michealmous Daisy)
Asters are gorgeous reliable flowering plants that come back year after year. There late flowering offers colour when the summer flowers are going over and they have a long flowering season plus offer good cut flowers.
There are many different cultivars of asters they vary in height from less than 10cm to 1m tall. And vary in shades of pink purple white and blue single or double fluffy daisy like flowers.
They are tolerant to full sun or part shade and most soil types. are frost and drought hardy.
The plants are dormant in spring as just roots then grow a carpet of leaves through summer which give rise to the flower spikes in autumn before going pack into dormancy over winter. So depending on the time of year ordered these may vary in appearance.
This sale is for a lost label cultivar so a lucky dip. Specific cultivars are also available. To photo shows some of the examples. As can be seen they are also loved by bees and butterflies. Offering a late nectar source.
Upon arrival unpack and water place in a cool semi shady spot to allow to recover from shipping. After a day or two these can be planted out. Dig a hole the size of the pot and fill with water. Sprinkle a handful of slow release food granules into the hole (this is optional but will give the plants an added boost and can be purchased with your order) soak the plant pot and remove the whole plant and its soil in one place directly into the hole back firm and firm in well to ensure their are no air pockets. Water in. Should the weather be hot during planting further watering may be necessary. Otherwise simply enjoy and trim back old flowers head once they have gone over.