Aster ‘Lady in Black’
£7.50
Out of stock
Aster ‘Lady in Black’
A striking late-season perennial with near-black foliage, clouds of tiny white flowers and exceptional autumn interest.
Aster ‘Lady in Black’ is grown as much for its dramatic foliage as its flowers. Slender, branching stems are clothed in deep purple-black leaves, creating a wonderful contrast throughout the growing season. From late summer into autumn, the plant becomes covered in masses of small white, daisy-like flowers with pink-red centres. These nectar-rich blooms are particularly valuable to bees, butterflies and other pollinators when many earlier perennials have finished flowering.
Best in full sun or light shade, ‘Lady in Black’ develops into a tall, airy, branching plant rather than a dense block of foliage. It works beautifully towards the middle or back of a mixed border, where its dark stems can weave between grasses and flowering perennials. It prefers reasonably fertile, well-drained soil and is fully hardy once established.
Specifications
Height: Approx. 100–120cm
Spread: Approx. 50–60cm
Flowering: August–October
Position: Full sun to partial shade
Soil: Moist but well-drained, reasonably fertile soil
Habit: Tall, upright and branching
Pollinators: Excellent for bees and butterflies
Maintenance: Cut back after flowering or leave standing for winter structure, then cut down in early spring
🌿 Note for Isle of Wight planting
A particularly useful plant for extending colour well into autumn on the Isle of Wight. Give it a sunny position for the richest dark foliage and combine it with earlier-flowering perennials so the border naturally progresses through the seasons.
🌿 Ideal Companion Plants from The Green Standard Range
Calamagrostis ‘Karl Foerster’ – upright golden seedheads look superb against the dark foliage and provide lasting autumn structure.
Helenium ‘Moerheim Beauty’ – warm copper-red flowers bring out the burgundy tones in ‘Lady in Black’.
Verbena ‘Bampton’ – another dark-stemmed, airy perennial that creates a beautifully layered, naturalistic combination.
Gaura ‘The Bride’ – loose white flowers echo the Aster's blooms while providing a softer, longer-flowering foreground.
Sedum ‘Iceberg’ – chunky white flowerheads contrast with the Aster's fine branching habit and continue the late-season pollinator interest.
Pennisetum ‘Red Head’ – arching, smoky flowerheads complement the dark stems and create movement around the planting.
🌟 The Green Standard Tip
Don't hide ‘Lady in Black’ right at the back of the border. Position it where its dark foliage can be seen between lighter plants throughout summer, then let its cloud of tiny flowers take over in autumn. It is especially effective planted amongst ornamental grasses, where the combination becomes better as the season progresses.