Aster sedifolius - Thick-stemmed Aster

The Aster sedifolius (sedifolia), now renamed Galatella sedifolia, is a wild plant found in the scrubland, dry meadows, and uncultivated land of the Mediterranean. This species, not very tall, is recognised by its narrow and erect habit and its narrow leaves, which are quite dark green and can resemble those of certain sedums. Despite its modest appearance for most of the year, this aster reveals its charm in autumn, adorned with many delicate star-shaped purple flowers with golden centres. It is a problem-free perennial in poor and limestone soils, perfect for natural or drought-tolerant gardens.

The Goldmoss Aster, also known as Sedum-leaf Aster or Creeping Aster, belongs to the Asteraceae family. Originally from Central Europe, this species is also part of Mediterranean flora: it can be found on hillsides and along roads or paths by the Mediterranean Sea. Resistant to cold and tolerant of limestone soils, this species can grow up to 1450 m (4757ft) in altitude and is well adapted to heat and summer drought.

It is a perennial plant with upright, sparsely branched stems that measures 30 to 50 cm (12 to 20in) in height and 25 to 30 cm (10 to 12in) in width. Its stems are densely leafy and covered with rough, elongated, and narrow leaves, measuring 4 to 5 cm (2in) in length, acute, almost linear. Flowering occurs from August to late October or early November, depending on the region and climate. The flowers are abundant and long-lasting. They take the form of numerous small mauve star-shaped flowers in 2.5 cm (1in)-wide heads, arranged in compact clusters called corymbs, which are 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6in) wide and carried at the ends of the stems. Each head comprises several slender, spaced ligules of lilac-blue, surrounding a centre filled with tiny tubular flowers of bright yellow. After pollination, the flowers give way to plume-like fruits in cream-white to greyish, called achenes, which the wind will disperse. The above-ground vegetation of this aster dries up and dies in winter, then regrows in spring.

It is impossible to imagine our gardens without aster flower beds or borders. This species is not very demanding regarding soil type; it even tolerates drought and rocky soils very well. It pairs perfectly with grasses; choose among the more moderate and less demanding varieties, such as Eragrostis spectabilis (pink cloud in August), Muhlenbergia capillaris (pink in autumn), or Miscanthus sinensis Yaku Jima. It gets along well with all other plants in flower beds, such as Salvia microphylla, Aster ericoides, and Aster cordifolius. Asters grow quickly and fill empty spaces in a newly planted hedge. In flower beds, you can create layered and rounded volumes by combining asters of different statures and sizes, such as Aster ericoides prostratus 'Snow flury', Aster laevis, or Aster turbinellus—another idea for pairing with autumn-flowering roses, which its delicate flowering perfectly enhances.