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.
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)
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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)
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Aster ‘Cassie’ (P-1085)
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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)
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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)
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Lifted on tall strong stems, a starry haze of umpteen, tiny, pale lavender-blue daisies lining branched upright sprays earned this impressive celebrity an AGM award and a place in our garden. Rich green tailored foliage stays fresh, while the sunny-eyed flowers lend an ethereal look to the fall landscape that can be juxtaposed against the coarser beauty of Vernonia crinita. Let shrubby roses or more sturdy perennials provide support in the back of the border, otherwise it will need staking or a spring pinching to ensure a shorter stature.
Blooms mid-August – October. Size: 5' high x 3' wide; hardy to zone 4. Aster cordifolius ‘Chieftain’ (P-1609)
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‘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 $6.75
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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 $6.75
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Aster ‘Elsie Dale’ (P-0717)
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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. AVAILABLE LATE SPRING 2012 Aster ericoides hyb. ‘Ringdove’ (P-0024)
Each $6.75
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Mirroring autumn’s warmth, this Aster’s unexpected golden floral hues bring a glittery Midas touch to the late season border. Arching branched sprays of copious small daisies with narrow buff white petals and prominent rich yellow centers rise above the well-groomed, dense leafy clump, which makes a congenial neighbor for Astrantias and Pennisetum spathiolatum. Zone 3/4.
Blooms September – October. Size: 2-1/2'–3' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4. Aster ericoides ‘Golden Spray’ (P-1610)
Each $6.75
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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 $6.75
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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 $6.75
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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 $6.75
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Calico AsterA 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 $6.75
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Aster ‘Martha Roderick’ (P-0028)
Each $6.75
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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)
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New England AsterLose 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 $6.75
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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 $6.75
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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 $6.75
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Aster oblongifolius ‘October Skies’ (P-1241)
Each $6.75
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Aromatic AsterMr. Raydon Alexander of San Antonio, Texas, said this hearty mint-scented Aster was his favorite, and we’re sure you’ll agree. Originating near Lookout Mountain, Tennessee, drought tolerant ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ quickly forges a valiant, dense mound that gets buried under multitudes of bright blue-lavender daisies. With late richly colored flowers, distinguished by sunlit yellow eyes and fine-textured single rays, and a no-fuss, orderly nature, it proves indispensable in the fall border. Zone 3/4.
Blooms September – October. Size: 3' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 4. Aster oblongifolius ‘Raydon’s Favorite’ (P-1611)
Each $6.75
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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 $6.75
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‘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 $6.75
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Dwarf Tatarian AsterThe name may sound like one of the bad guys from Star Wars, but this unique Aster is definitely on our side with its upright bearing and lush textural appeal.
Not as towering as its moisture-loving Asian counterpart, ‘Jindai’ spawns huge serrated rough-to-the-touch leafage on stout shorter stalks and abundant branched sprays of late blooming violet flowers engraved by large saffron eyes. A stand-alone for the mixed border, its assertive look can be juxtaposed against finer textured plants like Spiraea ‘Ogon’ and Phlox ‘David’.
Blooms September–November. Size: 3' high x 2' wide; hardy to zone 3. Aster tataricus ‘Jindai’ (P-0632)
Each $6.75
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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)
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Aster ‘White Swan’ (P-1088)
Each $6.75
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Looking for great gifts for Valentines Day? Here are Perennials that will provide winter color and interest to a container or landscape, and will flourish in a range of zones across the country.
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