Aster ageratoides Asmo

Aster ageratoides 'Asmo' is an excellent variety, not very demanding and not very susceptible to powdery mildew, which will find its place in all gardens. This pretty small perennial plant transforms itself from the end of summer and for 2 months into a real flowering cushion of small pale lilac-pink stars with a small amber centre. Its dense and regular silhouette and its abundant flowering will bring a very neat touch to the beds of heavier perennials. This very hardy aster appreciates sunny situations and well-drained but moist soil.

Aster ageratoides is a perennial plant native to northern Myanmar, southwestern China, and Tibet. It belongs to the Asteraceae family. The 'Asmo' variety is distinguished by its small size and compact habit. This plant develops from a suckering stump, very regular, composed of upright, stiff, and close stems, bearing slightly rough foliage of a matte green. The adult plant will form a bushy and round clump 40cm (16in) in height and 30cm (12in) in diameter. Quite early in late summer, from September (from late August in our warm regions), countless bouquets of small flowers appear in heads, with very fine outer ligules, of a very light lilac-pink colour, which make the foliage disappear. The plant gives off a subtle fragrance that accentuates its charm. It is a deciduous plant, with above-ground vegetation dying in winter and reforming in spring.

Plant Aster ageratoides 'Asmo' in any moist soil. It even accepts poor quality soil such as fill soil, or compact and clayey soils: its only requirement is not to compete with other perennials with a powerful root system. In the garden, for example, associate it with perennial geraniums, other dwarf asters, or light grasses such as Stipa tenuifolia or Muhlenbergia capillaris. It also forms pretty pastel flows between large rocks in a rockery. Its abundant and delicate flowering attracts pollinating insects. The flowering stems are very beautiful in a vase, in a floral composition, in the company of September roses.

The genus Aster offers a large number of species, represented by a multitude of floriferous varieties. There are varieties of all sizes, in an extremely rich range of colours. Several species are associated with each season.