SEASONAL DISPLAY

In late September, the gardens at Upton House in Warwickshire are a sight not to be missed. As part of the National Aster Collection, the gardens are home to many varieties, which they have grown since 1985. The collection includes three particularly important species – A. amellus, S. ericoides and S. cordifolius – with nearly 100 cultivars. Spotted in the kitchen garden, they are planted in three rows so they can be easily viewed. Asters are known for their final flash of colour at the end of the summer months, providing valuable late-season nectar for bees and butterflies.