Aster dumosus Early Blue

Aster x dumosus 'Early Blue' is a hybrid variety that blooms from late summer. This small perennial has a compact and sturdy habit, forming a cushion of semi-double flower heads resembling small daisies in a beautiful light blue colour with a yellow centre. They bloom every year between September and October. Their running stump produces ramified stems, adorned with lanceolate, dark green and glossy leaves. A true ball of flowers to ensure the succession of summer perennials, ideal in pots or borders.

Asters belong to the Asteraceae family, which mainly includes herbaceous plants. Aster dumosus 'Early Blue' is a dwarf hybrid derived from A. dumosus, or New York Aster, native to the eastern half of the United States, from Texas to Florida, Maine, and Wisconsin. This 30cm (12in) tall aster brightens up the garden in late summer and early autumn, covering its foliage with small light lavender-blue flower heads with a yellow centre. The dark green foliage is deciduous and composed of linear, entire leaves, and it may be prone to powdery mildew.

Aster dumosus 'Early Blue' thrives in a sunny or slightly shaded position in rich and moist soil. It is easy to grow, and its compact habit makes it suitable for border plantings as well as pots and containers, brightening up the surroundings of your house, even in front of your windows. It is perfect for creating charming autumn scenes when paired with golden or coppery grasses, a small golden conifer like Chamaecyparis obtusa 'Aurora', tall sedums, and green-leaved heucheras, as well as its orange chrysanthemum cousins. It can also be planted in borders or rockeries.

The Aster genus offers a large number of species, represented by a multitude of floriferous varieties. They come in all sizes, with an extremely rich range of colours. Each season, there are several species to choose from, including Aster alpinus or A. tongolensis for spring asters, A. amellus or A. frikartii for summer asters, and A. cordifolius, A. dumosus, A. ericoides, A. lateriflorus, A. novae-angliae, or A. novi-belgii for autumn asters.