ASTERS

Last year at about this time I visited Norwell Nurseries in Nottinghamshire.  In the previous week's post I featured some of the plants that had come from there.   It then occurred to me that ALL the plants I had bought from there had not only survived but had grown!  This, I felt, made a compelling reason for a return visit.

1. Aster 'Dark Desire'

This photo was taken in my garden of the plant I purchased last year. It's a fabulous colour and tall (5'5"), but it's tall columnar habit means it can live quietly at the back of the border.  Then come October,  it begins to flower and it announces its presence.

Aster 'Dark Desire'

2. Asters and Sedums at Norwell

The nursery is owned by Dr Andrew and Helen Ward, who propagate the plants themselves and are on hand to offer advice on varieties and growing requirements.  You can wander round their garden, looking for inspiration, and then find the plant you admired and buy one to take home. It is a lovely place, as I hope you will agree from the photographs.

Asters and Sedums at Norwell Nurseries

In this second photo, the border also contains some red and orange dahlias, and is as full of flower as any herbaceous border in the height of Summer.

3. Malus Golden Hornet

Another border at Norwell Nurseries is backed by Malus Golden Hornet.  This tree is dripping with yellow fruit and growing beneath its branches are asters in shades of deep pink, lilac and yes - that is 'Dark Desire' again on the left.

No prizes for guessing what comes next....

That's right - it's the shopping bit.

4.  Aster Blue Heaven

This was bought to accompany the Heleanthus Lemon Queen that I got from Norwell last year.  It is a combination that I saw growing in their garden, and this blue against the yellow looked wonderful.

5 Aster Amethyst Kylie

I was rather taken by the dark stems on this one.  The flowers are small and delicate. It's quite a tall variety, which I'm intending to plant behind the roses, where I'm hoping it will complement the last of their blooms.

6. Aster Ice Cool Pink

This is another one to pop in with the roses.  It has a greener, fern like leaf and is smothered in little pale pink flowers.

That's all from me for this week.  It's a  wet weekend here, ideal for hunkering down indoors,  so do visit The Propagator where you'll find plenty of gardening Six on Saturday's to read.