Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Andenken an Alma Pötschke'
New England aster or hairy michaelmas daisy
This perennial dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
- Position: full sun or partial shade
- Soil: well-cultivated, fertile, moist soil
- Rate of growth: average
- Flowering period: August to October
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Vivid, lipstick-pink daisy-like flowers with yellow centres erupt from late summer to mid-autumn. The petals are tightly packed, making the flowers more showy than many asters and therefore it's an excellent choice for adding a vibrant splash of colour at the end of the season. This feisty cultivar also shows a good resistance to mildew, which surely must place it near the very top of the must-have list. - Garden care: Stake with bamboo canes or brushwood in early spring. Water regularly during dry spells and deadhead 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.