6 compact American asters

Short

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii ‘Chatterbox’

Neat, pale pink flowers develop on branching stems carrying greyish foliage. Strong growing but not over-vigorous; good in pots or at the front of borders. Flowers: Aug-Oct. H: 16in (40cm).

S. novi-belgii ‘Professor Anton Kippenberg’

Deservedly popular, with lavender blue flowers covering low mounds of robust growth, their primrose yellow eyes maturing honey-toned. Reliable and tough. Flowers: Sept-Oct. H: 1ft (30cm).

S. novi-belgii ‘Jenny’

Much appreciated by butterflies, the vivid, yellow-eyed, purplish pink flowers open consistently in September and October, and cover the neat and bushy growth. A fine front-of-the-border variety. Semi-double. H: 16in (40cm).

S. ericoides var. prostratum ‘Snow Flurry’ AGM

Low, rippling mounds spread widely and are covered with small white flowers – like snow on a hillside. The woody stems will trail over the sides of a container. Plus: no mildew. Flowers: Oct. H: 1ft (30cm).

S. novi-belgii ‘Purple Dome’

Repeatedly branched stems develop into attractive mounds of dark foliage covered with late-season flowers in a rich shade of violet. The similar ‘Vibrant Dome’, in hot pink, is also good. Mildew-resistant. Flowers: Oct-Nov. H: 2ft (60cm).

S. novi-belgii ‘Rosenwichtel’

Vivid, almost lipstick pink flowers with honeyed centres are unusual in that the tips of the petals fade to a noticeably paler shade. The result is a two-tone effect that looks lovely against the dark foliage. Flowers: Oct. H: 10in (25cm).