Aster frikartii

Frikart's aster is a hybrid perennial (A. amellus x A. thomsonii) producing lavender-blue, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers from midsummer through fall. The plants reach two to three feet tall with a bushy, spreading habit and gray-green foliage. One of the longest-blooming asters available.

Grow in full sun in well-drained soil. Good air circulation helps prevent powdery mildew. Water regularly through establishment; once settled, it tolerates moderate drought. 'Monch' is the most widely grown cultivar, valued for its prolific bloom and resistance to mildew compared to New England and New York asters.