Aster dumosus Tonga

Aster 'Tonga' is a robust perennial that forms a cushion of semi-double dark lavender-blue flowers with yellow centres, in capitula resembling small daisies. It blooms every year between August and October. The running stump emits ramified stems, adorned with lanceolate, dark green and glossy leaves. It is a compact and sturdy plant, ideal for replacing summer perennials in pots or borders.

Asters belong to the Asteraceae family, which mostly consists of herbaceous plants. Aster 'Tonga' is a dwarf hybrid derived from A. dumosus, or New York aster, native to the eastern half of the United States, from Texas to Florida, Maine and Wisconsin. This 35cm (14in) aster animates the garden in late summer and early autumn, covering its foliage with small blue-violet capitula with a yellow centre. The bright green foliage is deciduous and composed of linear, entire leaves. It may be susceptible to powdery mildew.

Aster 'Tonga' thrives in sunny or lightly shaded positions in rich and moist soil. It is easy to grow, and its compact habit makes it suitable for flower beds, as well as pots and containers. It will brighten up the surroundings of your house, even in front of your windows. It is perfect for creating charming autumn scenes when combined with golden or coppery grasses, tall sedums, and green-leaved heucheras, as well as its orange chrysanthemum cousins. It can also be planted along borders or in rockeries.

The genus offers many species, represented by a multitude of floriferous varieties. They come in all sizes, with an extremely rich range of colours. Each season, there are several species to choose from, including Aster alpinus or A. tongolensis for spring asters, A. amellus or A. frikartii for summer asters, and A. cordifolius, A. dumosus, A. ericoides, A. lateriflorus, A. novae-angliae, or A. novi-belgii for autumn asters.