Aster divaricatus Tradescant

Aster divaricatus 'Tradescant' is a beautiful variety of divaricate aster, recently renamed Eurybia divaricata. More colourful and upright than the wild species, this cultivar tolerates shaded conditions just like its ancestor, making it valuable for ornamenting woodland gardens or beds exposed to the north or east. It quickly forms beautiful clumps with purplish stems adorned with large olive-green leaves, which remain in bloom for a long time with a thousand small stars ranging from white-pink to pink-purple. It is a beautiful perennial plant for the end of summer, highly appreciated in floral art for its delicacy. Hardy and carefree, perfect for wild or low-maintenance gardens.

Aster divaricatus belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to the Appalachians and clearings in Canada (eastern North America). This deciduous perennial develops from spring and dies down in winter. The 'Tradescant' cultivar quickly forms a beautiful upright but flexible and spreading clump, reaching 50cm (20in) in height when flowering, with a similar spread. The generous and prolonged flowering usually takes place from July-August to September-October. The inflorescence is a head with peripheral ligulate flowers that are white-pink when they open, darkening slightly when mature. The central flowers (the heart) are bright yellow, then turn light purple. Together, they form bouquets of great lightness, composed of countless tiny stars with very fine "branches". This aster develops strong and branching dark purple zig-zag stems, forming a superb contrast with the light olive-green foliage. The leaves are wide at the base, pointed at the tip, and turn purple in the sun and at the end of the season. This plant quickly spreads through branching rhizomes that lengthen and become woody with age.

It is impossible to imagine our gardens without asters. 'Tradescant' is charming, unassuming, and truly undemanding. It pairs very well with all other plants, in partial shade or in full sun. Only excessively dense and dry shade prevents it from flowering. It can be planted with Japanese anemones or with Aster cordifolius, another aster that likes woodland areas, and its cultivars 'Ideal' or 'Little Carlow'. With its knotty stems and its flexible and spreading habit, this slightly trailing aster forms a superb ground cover. It will give its best when planted in groups, in large beds at the base of trees or bushes. It can also be planted with other robust shade-loving perennials like Ligularia dentata 'Desdemona' or Trachystemon orientalis.