Symphyotrichum

The largest group of plants moved from Aster, about 90 species, almost all from America. It contains the widely grown Michaelmas daisies, S. novi-belgii, (New York asters) and S. novae-angliae, (New England asters). From our experience these have smoother leaves, smaller flowers, than Aster. Many excellent cultivated forms available, with a rainbow of colours and some with lovely contrasting dark stems. Good for late colour in the herbaceous border, generally in full sun.