Aster novi-belgii White Ladies

Aster novi-belgii 'White Ladies' is one of the best white-flowering autumn asters. This plant, with its exceptional floribundity, produces a myriad of small semi-double daisies with golden hearts in late summer, so numerous that they cover its compact and luxuriant vegetation and transform it into a giant bouquet. Preferring moist soils, this spreading variety is ideal for elegantly occupying the back of flowerbeds, where it will spread without bothering its neighbours. Its flowers are splendid in autumn bouquets.

Aster novi-belgii belongs to the asteraceae family, it is a hardy perennial native to temperate and cool regions of North America. 'White Ladies' is a horticultural selection that has a compact and bushy, upright habit. It will reach a height of 80 cm (32in) when in flower and will rapidly spread to 50 cm (20in). The exceptionally generous flowering occurs in September and October. The flowers are grouped in large 5 cm (2in) heads; the outer edge is made up of a double row of pure white petals and in the centre, the tubular flowers form a golden yellow heart. This aster is deciduous. The smooth and branching stems bear dense foliage, composed of slender, elongated, pointed, dark green and glossy leaves which can be susceptible to mildew.

Asters are essential in English-style gardens, cottage gardens, or naturalistic borders. They are undemanding and blend very well with all other plants such as grasses, Salvia microphylla, Croscomia 'Meteore', Dahlias, and perennial daylilies. These cheerful perennials accompany the splendour of autumn foliage. The 'White Ladies' aster will never be more beautiful than when planted in large cloud-like masses, in the company of the tousled pale pink flowers of 'Fellowship' asters, the magenta daisies of 'Crimson Brocade', or Solidago sempervirens. Try combining asters with 'Grace' Cotinus or dwarf, winged Euonymus: the colour combination is surprising in autumn.