Aster ericoides Blue Star

Aster ericoides 'Blue Star' is a fairly recent variety of heath aster, with a lovely lavender-blue flowering, a colour that was previously non-existent in asters of this category. It is a fairly compact, floriferous variety that forms a bush covered with generous bluish and vaporous panicles, weighed down by the weight of the flowers. This aster is ornamental even outside of the late summer flowering, as it forms a bush with a light appearance, covered with small narrow leaves. It is a problem-free perennial and a charming addition to flower beds, which also adds a lot of lightness to September bouquets.

Symphyotrichum ericoides (modern name of Aster ericoides) belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to the eastern and central United States, as well as northern Mexico. 'Blue Star' is a cultivar selected for its more compact habit than the type and its bluish flowering. The plant has an upright and bushy habit, reaching a height of 80 to 90cm (32 to 35in), with a spread of 50cm (20in). The very generous and long flowering period takes place from September (sometimes late August depending on the climate) to October-November. The plant is then covered with hundreds of small pale lavender-blue flowerheads with a brown centre, measuring 1cm (1in) in diameter, in pendulous panicles. The flowers are appreciated by butterflies. The dark green foliage is very fine and composed of small, pointed, lanceolate leaves, carried by thin, sturdy and branched stems.

It is impossible to imagine our gardens without asters. This one is particularly undemanding when it comes to soil type; it even tolerates drought quite well when planted in deep soil. It pairs perfectly with grasses; choose from the most reasonable and least demanding, for example Eragrostis spectabilis (pink cloud in August), Muhlenbergia capillaris (pink in autumn), or Miscanthus sinensis 'Yaku Jima'. It gets along well with most plants in the flower bed, such as Salvia microphylla, Crocosmia 'Meteore', Rudbeckia triloba, or Aster cordifolius and its cultivars 'Ideal' or 'Little Carlow'. Asters grow quickly and can fill in empty spaces in a recently planted hedge. In a flower bed, you can create layers and rounded, fluffy volumes by combining asters of different statures and sizes, for example with Aster ericoides prostratus 'Snow flurry', A. laevis, or A. turbinellus. Pair with autumn-flowering roses, which are perfectly highlighted by its mist of small flowers. This plant is also an excellent cut flower.