Aster novae-angliae Annabelle de Chazal

Aster novae-angliae Annabelle de Chazal is a delightful variety of New England Aster that is covered in beautiful pink daisies with golden yellow centres at the end of the season. Always vibrant, they remain open even in rainy weather. Like all asters in this category, it is a tall and robust plant with foliage that is resistant to mildew. Its sturdy stems usually do not require staking. It is a floriferous plant, absolutely charming and easy to grow in ordinary soil.

The family of Asteraceae, which includes Asters, is mainly characterised by the shape of its flowers, called capitules. This variety, Annabelle de Chazal, derived from the North American species Symphotrichium novae-angliae, is particularly resistant to diseases thanks to rough foliage that does not provide a foothold for the spores of pathogenic fungi such as powdery mildew and downy mildew. 'Annabelle de Chazal' blooms abundantly in September-October, and the 1m (3ft) tall woody bush it forms carries opulent colourful bouquets of bright pink flowers without weakening. Do make sure it is not overwatered, but also not subjected to intense drought during the summer. It prefers a sunniy site but will appreciate having its base protected by a thick mulch. The deciduous vegetation above ground dries up in winter and regrows in spring.

Aster 'Annabelle de Chazal' is perfect in borders, to extend the flowering season in the garden into autumn. Howvere you can also plant it in large pots, along with violet or purple varieties (e.g. Asters Purple Dome or Violetta) and ornamental grasses, to brighten up the surroundings of your house. This combination will also work well in large bouquets. This resilient plant will delight less meticulous gardeners since it manages to survive without care, even in neglected gardens - as long as the soil does not dry out too much. In the ground, create a rustic ambience around your asters with tall perennials and small bushes, along with some evergreen foliage to provide greenery to accompany them until the end of their flowering period.