White Wood Aster – £9.50 –

This is a wonderfully natural looking perennial which I have planted in Mandy’s Woodland Garden.  It grows very well and doesn’t mind being cut back at all any time. I think it is one of the prettiest shade-loving plants that we grow here. Growing to around 60cm tall and spreading to 60 cm, it has such a delicate filigree of black stems, making it appear elegant and really quite whimsical, but I have to say Tough as old boots.   My view is if it was beloved by Gertrude Jekyll, then it is good enough for me, I think she was a genius of her time.

It produces small star like sprays of white flowers from September through to November, the leaves are oval in shape, and are attractive any time of year.

Woodland Aster is wonderful for brightening up a shady spot as long as the soil does not dry out.

This gorgeous little woodlander is a favourite for Bees and any remaining Butterflies during its late flowering season and is an invaluable food source, with seeds eaten by birds and small mammals too, so a remarkably valuable nature nurturing plant.