Aster sibiricus

Aster sibiricus is a perennial herbaceous plant native to the cold regions of northern America and Eurasia, making it a hardy and undemanding plant. The flowering period is between June and July, with small spreading tufts composed of beautiful, wide purple-violet heads, either solitary or grouped in loose corymbs.

Standing at 30 cm (12in) tall, the Siberian Aster is a small Aster that adds life to the garden in early summer. Its short stems, often purple but sometimes green, are adorned with oblong, lanceolate leaves covered in short, rough hairs. It is highly resistant to cold and is not too concerned about soil type or exposure, although it prefers sandy or rocky soil that is well-drained but not too dry. You can plant it along the edge of a flower bed, in a rock garden, or in a trough accompanied by Carex comans Frosted Curls, small Sedums, or Saxifrage to create an alpine garden, or to fill the gaps between paving stones with Campanula poscharskyana.

Asters belong to the Asteraceae or Compositae family, which primarily consists of herbaceous plants. It is an extremely diverse genus, with a wide range of colours and sizes. Depending on the cultivars, it is possible to extend the flowering period from spring to the end of autumn, allowing garden enthusiasts to enjoy these charming daisy-like flowers for most of the year.