While aster are unremarkably associate with the autumn garden , Frikart ’s aster ( Aster x frikartii ) blooms during the summertime months . A loanblend of ItalianA. amellusand HimalayanA. thomsonii , this plant is a welcome addition to the mid - summertime assorted mete . Starting in June or July , it puts on a show that lasts until late summer or other fall . Although not native to this country , Frikart ’s aster is well comport and non - invading . It forms a 2- to 3 - foot marvellous , loose , bushy pitcher with dark green leaf and 2- to 3 - column inch all-embracing gamy - reddish blue blossoms . It favour full sun to partial specter and tolerates dry soil . splendid drainage is an inviolable must for this plant , specially in the wintertime . This drought - liberal works enjoy a long bloom period and , if dead - headed , can continue blooming well into downslope . When deadheading , be careful not to cut off the bud of new flowers that are forming next to the drop blooms .
Four cultivars of Frikart ’s aster were make grow in the 1920s by German hybridizer Frikart : ‘ Wonder of Staffa ’ ( or ‘ Wunder von Stafa ’ ) , ‘ Monch , ’ ‘ Jungfrau ’ and ‘ Eiger . ’ Of the four , the two most commonly available in this country are ‘ Monch ’ and ‘ Wonder of Staffa . ’ Both have daisy - like blooms with lavender - patrician rays and yellow center . ‘ curiosity of Staffa ’ bloom earlier than ‘ Monch ’ and is taller with a promiscuous habit . It has paler lilac-colored - dismal heyday that combine well with deep blues and yellow in the landscape painting . According to the Thomas Jefferson Center for Historic Plants , ‘ Wonder of Staffa ’ was praised in 1939 as “ one of the most constant blooming plants in existence produce freely branching sprays of clear lilac-colored - aristocratical efflorescence in lavish profusion . ” The color harmonizes particularly well with deep dark glasses of lavender - downhearted and violet . ‘ Homestead Purple ’ verbena is an excellent comrade as well as magenta - colored globe amaranth ( Gomphrena globosa ) . Another sound companion industrial plant is ‘ Grand Parade ’ bergamot mint ( Monarda didyma ) with its cryptic reddish blue color .
Frickart ’s aster can become floppy as the season pass on . Cutting it back in May or June can better the growing use but will delay flowering . Toward the end of the growing season , the foliation be given to become thin , so it is wise to veil its stalks with a lower - develop plant . Deep purple petunias are idealistic for this purpose and offer a sensational demarcation with the paler aster blossoms .
Although sturdy to Zone 5 , Frikart ’s aster appreciate being left standing during the winter months and then skip back in outflow . It may be propagated though cuttings or division in the give . grow from seed is possible but not recommended because the new plant will not be true to colourise .
While no works is ever completely deer proof , Frikart ’s aster is generally not bothered by either deer or rabbits . It also has adept mildew - resistant qualities .
Photo byMagnus Manske
