Aster (Michaelmas Daisies)
at Digging Dog
Including Aster cordifolius, Aster novi-belgii, & Aster turbinellus
Aster
Michaelmas Daisies
We never tire of Aster’s cheerful daisy
faces and the profusion of colors and sizes that make
up this genus, from 6 ft. giants to tiny dwarf
alpines. Our Asters, large and small, are tried and true
performers in ordinary garden soil and full sun.
Generally late summer bloomers, they provide lots
of oomph when other perennials have petered out. Aster ‘Bill’s Big Blue’ 
Blooming long after other flowers have faded, Asters are associated with afterthought and cheerfulness in old age. This Ed Carman selection is one of the largest Asters we offer, with clean-looking foliage right to the ground on strong, upright stems culminating in sprays of blue-violet flowers. Bring cheer to the fading days of summer by planting ‘Bill’s Big Blue’ with Helianthus and other stately late bloomers.
Blooms late September–early November Size: 4'–5' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 4. Aster Bill’s Big Blue (p-0621)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster ‘Cassie’
Aster Cassie (P-1085)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster ‘Coombe Fishacre’
With a billowy habit, a reliable floriferous nature and fine foliage that looks dapper all season long, ‘Coombe Fishacre’ is one of our favorite Asters. Its deep green leaves cover sweeping branches all the way down, while a slew of lilac flowers warmed by rosy brown centers roost above. Well after the blooms have faded, the seed heads add intriguing colors and shapes.
This first-class Aster never needs staking and can be planted in large drifts amid Miscanthus ‘Nippon’, Molinia ‘Bergfreund’ or Eupatorium ‘Gateway’ for glowing pink echoes.
Blooms August–September. Size: 2-1/2' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5. Aster Coombe Fishacre (P-0392)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster ‘Elsie Dale’
Aster Elsie Dale (P-0717)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster ‘Martha Roderick’
Aster Martha Roderick (P-0028)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster ‘Ochtendgloren’
Conjuring a zestful spirit as summertime wanes,
this elegant Aster parades branched heads of dainty
pink starlike blooms and darker pink buds. The long
and narrow, densely set foliage that lines its stiff,
sturdy stems is handsome right to the ground. Claiming
Aster pringlei lineage, ‘Ochtendgloren’
merrily partners with Pennisetum ‘Moudry’ and Geranium ‘Buxton’s Variety’ in front of our Beech hedge.
Blooms August–early October. Size: 4'–5' high x 2'–3' wide; hardy to zone 4. Aster Ochtendgloren (p-1087)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster ‘White Swan’
Aster White Swan (P-1088)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster amellus ‘King George’
Italian Aster
“Aster” is derived from the Greek word for star and this sought after, old-fashioned cultivar continues to captivate fans with its star quality.
Perched on branching stems, slender violet-blue petals circle around a sunshine-colored hub, while rough textured leaves compose a dense clump-forming crown that keeps its good looks all season. ‘King George’ is a bushy, small-statured Aster that exhibits a reliable, tough-as-nails character as well as asserting a lot of flower power for the front of the border.
Blooms August–October. Size: 18"–2' high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 5. Aster amellus King George (P-1348)
SOLD OUT!
Email me when this plant is available Aster asperulus
With a not-too-tall, high-spirited presentation of lavender-blue daisies, this compact, rarely offered Aster should find its way into more gardens.
Sturdy, wine-tinged, open branched stems maintain a pert straight-up stance carrying the big buds and two in. wide, thin rayed flowers. Rising above unusual, large green leaves distinguished by toothed margins, prominent veins and a somewhat fuzzy surface, the long blooming, sunny-eyed blossoms make a vivacious match for the darkly beautiful Sedum ‘Purple Emperor’ above our stone wall.
Blooms late July–October. Size: 15" high x 15" wide; hardy to zone 5. Aster asperulus (P-1307)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster cordifolius
FTD should get to know this perky, rarely seen
Aster, and so should you. Buds form early and fool
us into thinking they’re about to bloom,
but they wait until the plant reaches full height. When
it does, a mass of blue-violet on erect, wiry, wine
red stems leaves us breathless. Try planting Teucrium
f. ‘Azureum’ in front and
Molinia ‘Windspiel’ as a backdrop.
When flowering ends, we find the stems and seed heads
of Aster cordifolius so delightful, we leave them on for
winter interest.
Blooms August–early October. Size: 4'–5' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4.
Aster cordifolius (p-0022)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster cordifolius ‘Little Carlow’
‘Little Carlow’ is lush and cheerful.
Its flowers are larger and a deeper violet-blue than
those of Aster cordifolius, and they have bright yellow
centers. The green leaves, which reach to the
ground, are also broader and darker. It blends well with
tall grasses like Calamagrostis and Panicums and
contrasts with yellow flowering plants such as
Achillea ‘Marmalade’.
Blooms mid-August–early October. Size: 3'–4' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4. Aster cordifolius Little Carlow (P-0255)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster divaricatus
White Wood Aster
Small white flowers like finely cut daisies, with a
yellow center, and elongated heart-shaped, coarsely toothed, dark green leaves, are displayed in large clusters on sinuous, purple-black stems. This Aster is better-known in Europe, where it’s used to light up shady urban gardens. We find it
indispensable in the country too, for its tolerance of
dry, shady sites. A good plant for the front of the border, try it with Hypericum kouytchense or broad-leafed
perennials.
Blooms mid-July–September. Size: 15"–18" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4. Aster divaricatus (p-0023)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster ericoides hyb. ‘Ringdove’
Our anticipation soars as we wait for round buds to finally unfurl a galaxy of small starry blooms twinkling in rose-tinged lilac shades. Beneath the profuse late season display, tiny green leaves stay fresh for months, garnishing stiff branching stems, which angle out and form a well-mannered mound. Illuminated by citron-yellow centers with red streaks, the dainty daisies easily gratify companions like Achillea ‘Hella Glashoff’ or Origanum ‘Bristol Cross’.
Blooms mid-August–September. Size: 2' high x 18" wide; hardy to zone 5. Aster ericoides hyb. Ringdove (P-0024)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster laevis ‘Bluebird’
Bluebird Smooth Aster
If you are looking for a Aster with engaging late
season color, impeccably handsome mildew resistant
foliage and a medium-sized frame that never needs staking, look no farther! Clad in glabrous, bluish green leaves, the vase-shaped clump showcases numerous broad, bouquetlike clusters of single, one inch wide, delicately rayed petals gathered by
gilded centers. The jubilant floral display is elevated on
red-hued stems and seems to cover the entire top half
of the plant. Undeterred by varied moisture levels
and soil types, ‘Bluebird’ is a Mt.
Cuba Center introduction.
Blooms August–October. Size: 4' high x 2'–2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 4. Aster laevis Bluebird (p-1240)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster lateriflorus ‘Lady in Black’
Shrouded in mysterious tiny black-purple
foliage, ‘Lady in Black’ offers sprays of
small white flowers with a healthy blush of pink.
Unlike ‘Prince’s tight clumping habit,
this tall and elegant Dutch lady has spreading
upright stems that spread over time.
Blooms September–October. Size: 3-1/2'–4' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 4. Aster lateriflorus Lady in Black (p-0700)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster lateriflorus ‘White Lovely’
Calico Aster
A preeminent star of the fall show, ‘White Lovely’ entertains petite, thin-petaled white daisies tinged lilac when mature and brightened by sunny-side-up yellow eyes. The copious, late summer flowers are borne along horizontally branched leafy sprays of arching and wide-angled, purple-streaked stems with small, slender dark green foliage that never tuckers out.
We like to plant Monarda ‘Violet Queen’ and Melianthus ‘Antonow’s Blue’ behind while headlining this elegant Aster right up front.
Blooms August–early October. Size: 2-1/2' high x 2-1/2' wide; hardy to zone 4. Aster lateriflorus White Lovely (P-1366)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster novae-angliae ‘Harrington’s Pink’
New England Aster
Celebrated by Graham Stuart Thomas for conveying “much garden charm,” this well-loved Aster’s attraction is her pink flowers and her tall profile. Lavish quantities of delicate gold-centered daisies house nearly 50 layered, extra fine rays each, while cresting thick, straight, somewhat woody branched stalks.
Bred by Mr. Hilliard from Williamsburg, Iowa, the robust, grayish green clump crowded with stem-clasping, bristle-rough, 4 to 5 in. long leaves tolerates wet soil and some shade, resists mildew and can accompany Sedum ‘Indian Chief’ and blue blooming Asters.
Blooms August–September. Size: 3'–5' high x 2'–3' wide; hardy to zone 3. Aster novae-angliae Harrington’s Pink (P-1426)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’
New England Aster
Lose yourself, like the linear, dark green fuzzy foliage, in a sea of royal purple flowers held on erect stems. Mildew resistant, compact and bushy, the handsome symmetrical mound becomes engulfed with 1-½ in. wide, golden-eyed, vividly colored daisies in a truly breathtaking spectacle, especially when planted en masse.
Dr. Richard Lighty developed this easy-care, late season show stopper that makes a sterling addition to arrangements and a captivating counterpoint to Stipa arundinacea.
Blooms August–early October. Size: 18" high x 18"–2' wide; hardy to zone 3. Aster novae-angliae Purple Dome (p-0175)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster novi-belgii ‘Blue Danube’
This Aster’s alluring flowers promise a
late season hurrah. Supported by stiff branching
stems lined with verdant linear foliage, the blooms are
the size of silver dollars, and layers of their closely
set blue-violet petals radiate from yellow and
maroon centers. ‘Blue Danube’ lends an air
of elegance in the midst of Calamagrostis
brachytricha and Angelica gigas.
Blooms September–early October. Size: 3' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5. Aster novi-belgii Blue Danube (P-0921)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster novi-belgii ‘White Climax’
When this cultivar first bloomed in our garden,
we were delighted to see such large flowers! A
breathtaking contrast of pure white blossoms against
handsome, verdant foliage with wine-colored veins
creates a presentation even more spectacular than that
of ‘Climax’. Combine with
Origanum ‘Ed Carmine’ for a showy
summer farewell.
Blooms September–early October. Size: 2-1/2'–5' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5. Aster novi-belgii White Climax (p-0633)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster oblongifolius ‘October Skies’
Aster oblongifolius October Skies (P-1241)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster pyrenaeus ‘Lutetia’
‘Lutetia’ is one of our favorite
low growing Asters, and by summer’s end you’ll see why. Its pink buds open into a charming blanket of large, yellow-centered, pastel daisies with delicately splayed lavender petals, completely hiding the loose mound of finely textured
foliage and intertwined, wiry, deep purple stems.
Blooms August–October. Size: 18" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 6. Aster pyrenaeus Lutetia (p-0631)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster turbinellus
With a carefree cant, green, lance-shaped leaves
have a lively look all season. Lean, dark violet-streaked stems give way to airy, lavender-colored sprays of glassine blossoms whose open petals are caught in a vivid yellow center. The red hues in the stems of Panicum ‘Shenandoah’ and Echinops enliven this Aster’s rich verdure.
Blooms September–October. Size: 4' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 3. Aster turbinellus (P-0819)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
Aster x frikartii ‘Mönch’
In some gardening circles, ‘Mönch’ is acclaimed as one of the ten best perennials. Prolific, 2-1/2 in. lavender flowers bloom lavishly for months on end. The clear color blends with so many others: light pink Geranium renardii ‘Mavis Simpson’, Phlomis lanata, Penstemon ‘Ruby’ and those yellow Kniphofia ‘Vanilla’.
Blooms July–October. Size: 18" high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 5. Aster x frikartii Mönch (p-0025)
Each $6.50
Add to Cart
|
=