Aster novi-belgii ‘Henri Picot’

Aster novi-belgii ‘Henri Picot’ forms a very tall, bushy clump of dark green foliage and bright blue flowers.

The leaves are dark green and known for their health and longevity.

The flowers are bright blue, delicate and star-shaped.

The blooming period is long and highly attractive to pollinators.

This variety is particularly tall, producing great numbers of tall flowers, which are ideal for cut flower bouquets or floral arrangements.

👨‍🌾GARDENING TIPS👨‍🌾: 

• • ☀️Prefers a strong morning sunshine to a blast of afternoon heat💠
  • 💧Applying mulch around the clump will help retain moisture for a longer period.
  • ✂️ Cutting back the stems to 20cm from the ground in January promotes a strong reconstitution
  • ➗Divide the clumps as they begin to multiply. It isn’t invasive, but can be a vigorous grower.

• Continue learning about Asters:

  • >> RHS Tips on Gardening with Asters (In English)

  • >> Most Beautiful Asters by Le Parisien (In French)

The Tales & The Botany:

This Aster was a favorite of Henri Picot, a botanist at the Arboretum de Balaine (in the center of France) and so his name was attributed to this cultivar.

The name Aster comes from the Ancient Greek word ἀστήρ (astḗr) which means ‘star’ – we’ll assume that it refers to the shape of the flower head.

The genus used to encompass over 600 species, but various studies showed that the families of North America are actually a different kettle of fish. Today, the Aster family encompasses around 170 species, all but one of which are restricted to Eurasia.

It is one of the few flowers that blooms in fall – specifically during Michaelmas (29 September) – which is why there is even a rhyme in its honor!

• • “The Michaelmas daisies, among dead weeds, Bloom for St Michael’s valorous deeds”

🌸Floral morphology

• It is characteristic of the Asteraceae family: the flowers are arranged in composite heads (capitula), combining central disk florets and peripheral ray florets.

The ray florets are usually brightly colored—shades of purple, blue, pink, or white—while the disk florets are often yellow, providing a striking contrast. Each capitulum is subtended by bracts (phyllaries) forming an involucre. Flowering occurs from late summer to autumn in most species, making asters important for late-season garden color.

🧬Reproductive biology

Asters are hermaphroditic, pollinated primarily by insects such as bees, butterflies, and beetles. Many species readily self-seed and can naturalize in favorable conditions. Seeds are small achenes, often with a pappus that aids in wind dispersal.

🦋 Ecology & cultivation

 Asters thrive in well-drained soils with moderate fertility and require full sun to partial shade. They are generally hardy, tolerating frost and varying moisture conditions. Asters are valued for ornamental gardening, pollinator support, and their role in naturalized meadows and prairie restorations.