Aster novi-belgii 'Sam Banham' - NEW YORK ASTER 'SAM BANHAM'

'Sam Banham' may look like nothing special aster, average pink flowers, not too big, not too small,.... but so far it seems like it's doing fairly well in our hot and humid Midwestern climate - it's robust, tall and vital with less foliar diseases than other novi-belgii asters. Still better planted in cooler areas with cooler summer night temperatures. This cultivar was brought from Czech Republic.

Aster can suffer with powdery mildew, to avoid this, grow the plant in a medium moist, good garden soil, full sun and airy spot.

Suitable for sunny borders or can be used as cut flower. Combine with border perennials like tall Phloxes, tall Asters, Echinaceas, or non-native perennials like Hemerocallis or hardy Geraniums.  Michaelmas asters seem to be shorter-lived perennials in Midwest, and probably better performing in cooler areas of zones 4,5, 5/6.

Picture copyright : US perennial nursery

Blooming time: September/October

Size: 4' tall x 2' wide.

USDA zones : 5 to 8

Culture: Sun, half sun, average soil

Moisture Needs : medium

Origin: Original wild species (Aster novi-belgi) is North-East of USA in the states of - Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island.

Deer/rabbit resistant : yes/ yes, but young shoots can be grazed

Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators : yes, honey bees, bees and butterflies

Attracts Hummingbirds : no

Pot Size: square pot 4" x 5" deep