Aster novi-belgii Crimson Brocade

Aster novi-belgii 'Crimson Brocade' is a robust perennial that blooms between September and October with a multitude of flowers resembling small crimson red semi-double daisies. The somewhat creeping stump produces ramified stems adorned with lanceolate, dark green and glossy leaves.

Aster novi-belgii 'Crimson Brocade' is a tall (80 cm (32in)), hardy and easy to grow Aster. It brings the garden to life in late summer and early autumn, a period when most flowering perennials have disappeared. It thrives in sunny or slightly shaded locations, sheltered from strong winds, in a rich and moist soil. You can plant it at the back of borders, paired with late-flowering perennials like echinaceas, sunflowers or heucheras, which create an excellent contrast of warm colours, or certain grasses with delicate foliage. These asters also make excellent cut flowers.

The genus Aster is extremely diverse, with a wide range of colours and sizes. Depending on the cultivars, it is even possible to spread out the flowering period from spring to the end of autumn, allowing gardening enthusiasts to enjoy these pretty daisy-like flowers, with their rustic feel, for a large part of the year.