Aster 'Little Pink Beauty'

Plant in an open sunny site, in soil that is alkaline toslightly acid, fertile and moisture retentive in spring and summer. A.alpinus, A. amellus, A. x frikarti and A.pyrenaeus 'Lutetia' and A.thomsonii 'Nanus' require alkaline soils and good winter drainage. Plant out autumn flowering asters in mid or late spring and spring flowering asters in mid-autumn or early spring.

After approximately three years, once herbaceous perennial varieties have become established clumps they should be divided in order to retain vigour. Many herbaceous plants can be divided in autumn, but spring may be the safer option just as they are starting into growth. Autumn division may result in the loss of smaller divisions if a cold, wet winter follows. The simplest method is to carefully dig around the clump and gently pull it apart into fist sized pieces and re-plant immediately. The middle of the original clump should be discarded as this will have lost vigour and become woody.

A clump forming plant bearing semi-double, deep pink, daisy like flowers with golden yellow centers bringing colour to the garden in late summer and autumn.

Most asters flower in late Summer and Autumn, with Michaelmas daisies being the later flowering varieties. There are some alpine varieties that bloom in Spring