Aster novi-belgii Carmen

The Carmen hybrid Aster has the vigour of New Belgium Asters and the frugality of Heath Asters. Bridging the gap between summer blooms and autumn colours, this easy-to-grow perennial is covered in small, semi-double, slightly ruffled stars of a bright pink that is rare among asters and full of cheer. It tolerates heat, drought and poor, chalky soil.

The 'Carmen' Aster belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is a descendant of New Belgium Asters, inheriting their vigour. This perennial exhibits an upright, branching growth habit beginning in spring. It reaches a flowering height of 90 cm (35in), with foliage at 60 cm (24in), and spreads to 60 cm (24in), with fairly rapid growth. The very generous flowering takes place in September-October. The inflorescence is a head composed of peripheral, ligulate flowers that are thin and coloured a bright and intense pink. The central flowers (the heart) are yellow-orange. The heads measure around 3 cm (1in) in diameter and are grouped in short corymbs, numbering 2 to 6. This aster is a deciduous perennial with slender stems. The leaves are entire, small (7 cm (3in)), oblong, lanceolate, and medium green. The cauline leaves are sessile (without petioles) and acute. This plant spreads via underground woody rhizomes but is not invasive.

It is impossible to imagine our gardens without aster beds or borders. Undemanding, they pair well with all other plants in beds and borders, such as Salvia microphylla and Crocosmia 'Meteore'. Both cheerful and melancholic, these perennials accompany the arrival of autumn and the splendour of autumn foliage. Try combining pink and blue asters with Cotinus 'Grace' or dwarf winged euonymus: the colour combination is surprising. These plants also make excellent cut flowers.