BOTANICAL: Aster novi-belgii

PRONOUNCED: ASS-tuh NO-vee BEL-jee-eye

COMMON: New York aster BLOOM HEIGHT LIGHT ZONE Early September to October 2 ft. - 4 ft. Sun 4 - 8 September - White, purple, red or pink COMMENTS: Similar in garden effectiveness to A. novae-angliae of August, this species differs by being shorter and having hairless stems and smoother, 2- to 5-inch, lancelike leaves with evident teeth. A moist to wet, average soil is preferred. Suggested cultivars: A. novi-belgii 'Blandie', 3 ft., ivory-white flowers. A. novi-belgii 'Kristina', 1.5 ft., white flowers. Dwarf cultivars are available which may belong to A. x dumosus . They are mounded and only 9- to 18-inches. All have yellow eyes.