Symphyotrichum (Aster) novae-angliae ‘Rosa Sieger'

New England Aster Asteraceae

A proper old-school Michaelmas daisy, and none the worse for it. ‘Rosa Sieger’ produces a handsome, upright clump of hairy stems and dark green, rough-textured foliage, eventually smothering itself in large, soft rose-pink daisies with golden-yellow centres. The flowers open from darker pink buds, giving the plant a pleasing two-tone effect as the display develops. 

A Karl Foerster selection dating from 1971, ‘Rosa Sieger’ has been quietly doing the business for more than half a century. It was also included in the German perennial trials, where it received a good rating for its abundant flowering and relatively low susceptibility to disease. 

This is Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, the New England Aster, rather than one of the more mildew-prone New York types, and makes a particularly useful late-season border plant. Give it sun and a reasonably fertile, moisture-retentive soil and it will produce a generous autumn display without demanding much fuss. The stems can become a little enthusiastic, so a little neighbouring vegetation is no bad thing. Bees and other insects will be grateful for the late-season feast.

• H7 – below –20°C
• Height: 120–140 cm
• Spread: 60–90 cm
• Flowers: September–October