Aster novae-angliae 'Grape Crush' – New England Aster 'Grape Crush'

The 'Grape Crush' Aster unleashes spectacular energy in the fall garden. This perennial forms a dense, perfectly rounded dome that becomes completely covered in deep, grape-purple flowers. Unlike other asters, its compact and bushy habit remains impeccable without staking, offering a stunning mass of colour when the rest of the garden begins to fade. Its bright yellow centre creates a brilliant contrast that catches the eye and attracts pollinators.

Characteristics

• Foliage: Dense, healthy, dark green leaves form an attractive mound throughout the season. The foliage is deciduous.
• Flowering: A profusion of small, daisy-like flowers in a rich grape-purple colour with a golden-yellow heart appear from late summer until the first frosts.
• Light: Prefers full sun for maximum flowering and a sturdy habit.
• Habit: Forms a wide, rounded, and very uniform bushy mound.
• Growth: Reaches its mature size quickly during the season. It grows to a height of 60-75 cm (24-30 in) and spreads to 90-100 cm (36-40 in).
• Soil: Adapts to a variety of soils but prefers well-drained conditions.
• Temperature: Extremely hardy and well-suited to the Canadian climate.
• Resistance: Shows excellent resistance to powdery mildew, a common issue for asters. It also resists deer and rabbits well.

Use

• Types of Use: Ideal for mass plantings for a high-impact effect, in flower beds for reliable fall colour, as a border, or even in a large container as a feature plant.
• Decorative Advantages: Creates an explosive finale of colour in the garden. Its neat, dense habit provides structure to landscapes, and it serves as a late-season nectar source for butterflies and other pollinators.

Care

• Watering: Water regularly during dry spells, especially during the first year of establishment.
• Fertilization: Fertilize lightly in the spring with compost. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers that promote foliage at the expense of flowers.
• Pruning: Cut the stems back to the ground in late fall after a frost, or leave them for the winter and prune them in early spring.
• Planting: Plant in the spring or early fall, leaving about 90 cm (36 in) of space to allow for good air circulation.
• Winter Protection: No winter protection is required.