Aster ericoides f. prostratus - White Heath Aster

Aster ericoides f. prostratus, also known as Prostrate Aster or Aster ericoïdes Prostrate Form, is a trailing or creeping perennial shrub that disappears for a month under a carpet of small white "daisies" with yellow hearts. This drought-resistant and very hardy plant is perfect for low-maintenance gardens, pots, terraced borders and slopes, in full sun.

Aster ericoïdes f. prostratus belongs to the Asteraceae family and is native to the eastern and central United States. It forms a herbaceous clump with a woody crown, reaching a height of 20 cm (8in) and spreading up to 50 cm (20in). Similar to Aster ericoides, it is mainly distinguished by its initially upright stems, which gracefully bend and fall close to the ground. The foliage along the branches is even smaller. It blooms in September, covering the plant with numerous small white daisy-like heads with yellow centres, sometimes tinged with purple, 1 cm (0in) in diameter.

Let the prostrate Aster trail and creep over the stones of walls overlooking a pathway or rock gardens, as its flowering is delightful. Like creeping rosemary, Artemisia schmidtiana 'Nana', Stachys lanata 'Big Ears', Aster amellus and their cultivars 'Rudolf von Goethe' or 'King George', they are beautiful in autumn and tolerate chalky and dry soils. To add a touch of lavender-pink, add Aster linariifolius. In ordinary, not too dry soil, combine Prostrate Aster with hardy chrysanthemums like 'Empereur de Chine', known and cultivated in China for over two thousand years, or Chrysanthemum 'Jules La Graveur', and Persicaria affinis 'Darjeeling Red'. The result will be incredibly beautiful. This Aster also performs well in pots.