SYMPHYOTRICHUM novi-belgii 'Royal Velvet'

Description

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Royal Velvet'

Height x Spread:  90cm x 60cm

Very free flowering from late summer deep into autumn, the individual flowers of 'Royal Velvet' are simply gorgeous, each sporting a narrow ruff of vivid violet petals surrounding a golden yellow centre.  Once pollinated the centre turns red, nature's way of signposting pollinators to move onto the next flower, saving resources - rather neat!

Bushy in habit , it looks particularly striking combined with tall willowy ornamental grasses such as Molinia or the delicate yellow autumnal foliage of Amsonia.   Or mix up the flower shapes by planting it with late flowering Crocosmia such as 'Emily McKenzie' and Bistorta amplexicaulis 'Rosea'. Like many other Michaelmas daisies, it thrives in full sun in a fertile, good soil.