Aster Island Series Tonga

Description

Aster ‘Island Series Tonga’

Botanical name: Symphyotrichum ‘Island Series Tonga’
Common names: Aster, Michaelmas daisy
Family: Asteraceae (daisy family)
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Upright, clump-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 40–50cm tall × 45cm spread
Foliage: Lance-shaped green leaves forming a neat, bushy mound; deciduous
Flowers: Masses of violet-blue daisy flowers with golden centres in autumn (September–October)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, fertile; dislikes drying out; any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Open, sunny; good air circulation
Native range: Garden form; the parent species are native to North America
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Aster ‘Island Series Tonga’ is a compact, bushy Michaelmas daisy smothered in violet-blue daisies in autumn. Neat, mildew-resistant and reliable, it is superb for the front of borders, pots and late pollinators.

GardenAdvice notes

One of the finest of all late-season perennials, this aster (Michaelmas daisy) smothers itself in cheerful daisy flowers from late summer well into autumn, bringing invaluable colour just as the garden fades — and a crucial late source of nectar for bees and butterflies. Bred for a compact, bushy habit and good mildew resistance, it is easy and reliable.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist but well-drained, fertile soil, with good air circulation — asters dislike drying out, which stresses them and encourages mildew, so reliable moisture matters. Space appropriately for its size. Water in dry spells.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance. Keep the soil from drying out. Taller sorts may need support, or can be given the ‘Chelsea chop’ (cutting back by a third in late spring) for bushier, self-supporting growth. Cut down old growth in late winter, leaving seed heads for winter interest if wished. Lift and divide every two to three years in spring to keep it vigorous and healthy — the key to good, mildew-free plants.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.

Pests & diseases

Michaelmas daisies can be prone to powdery mildew, especially if they dry out or lack air movement. Keeping them moist, dividing regularly and ensuring good air circulation are the best defences. Bred for a compact, bushy habit and good mildew resistance, it is easy and reliable.

Uses in the garden

Superb at the front of mixed, cottage and wildlife borders and in containers, where its neat mound of late daisy flowers brings colour and life from late summer into autumn; invaluable for late pollinators.

Wildlife value

One of the very best plants for late-season pollinators: the daisy flowers are a crucial source of nectar for bees and butterflies in autumn, when little else is in bloom.

Toxicity & safety

Michaelmas daisy is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

The Island Series asters, including ‘Tonga’, were bred to be compact, neat and much more mildew-resistant than the old Michaelmas daisies, making them some of the easiest to grow. This one gives a tidy mound smothered in violet-blue daisies late in the season — lovely at the front of a border or in a pot, and buzzing with late bees and butterflies. Keep it reasonably moist and divide every few years.

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