Aster alpinus Dunkle Schöne

Aster alpinus 'Dunkle Schöne', also known as the Alpine Aster or Alpine Daisy, is a spreading perennial with a woody base and a spreading cushion habit. It bears large blue-violet flowers with a yellow-brown centre in late spring and the first half of summer. The flowers bloom above dark green foliage. It is a fully hardy perennial, easy to grow in full sun, in regular, occasionally dry soil.

Aster alpinus belongs to the Asteraceae family, and originates from the Alps, where it grows in the middle mountain zones, among rocks and pastures. 'Dunkle Schöne' is a horticultural selection with blue flowers. This perennial shows an upright and spreading tufted habit from spring, forming dense and compact mats. It will not exceed 20 to 25cm (8 to 10in) in height when flowering, and will spread at least 20cm (8in), with a rather slow growth rate. The flowering takes place in May-June. The inflorescence is a head with peripheral ligulate flowers that are blue-violet. The central flowers (the heart) are yellow marked with brown. The heads measure about 4cm (2in) in diameter and are always solitary. This aster is a deciduous to semi-evergreen perennial depending on the climate, with hairy stems. The basal leaves are pubescent, rough on both sides, usually entire, elongated, lanceolate, and dark green. They are sessile (without petiole) and acute. The fruit is an achene surmounted by a dirty white brush, with bristles twice as long as the achene. This plant spreads through underground woody stems.

In nature, it is found in warm and limestone areas, in meadows, in clearings, on the edge of forests, on slopes, and along paths. Use this as inspiration for the garden, by planting 'Dunkle Schöne' in sunny rock gardens, alongside Scabiosa columbaria 'Pink Mist' or Sedum 'Red Cauli', emerging from a carpet of Delosperma 'Kelaidis'. It is also perfect for creating a transition between perennial borders and pathways or the top of walls. And of course, it is ideal in rock gardens or alpine troughs, or even in pots.