Aster umbellatus Weisser Schirm

Aster umbellatus 'Weisser Schirm', also known as Umbellate Aster, is a robust perennial that has retained the simplicity and generosity of wild plants. Covered with small white daisies with yellow hearts arranged in umbels throughout the summer, this bristly plant with purple stems sometimes reaches the size of a bush. It is a useful plant for natural areas or the back of flower beds, in moist soil.

Aster umbellatus belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to wet areas in the eastern United States. This perennial has a compact, upright and bushy habit. 'Weisser Schirm' is an improvement of this plant. It will reach a minimum height of 1.50 m (5ft) when in bloom, sometimes more than 2 m (7ft) under optimal growing conditions, and will rapidly spread over 60 cm (24in).

The airy flowering brings joy to bees and butterflies from July to September. When it blooms, only the leaves on the stems persist. The stems are purple, branched at the top and bear flowers grouped in umbels (hence the name of the plant) that can reach 20 cm (8in) in width. The flower heads consist of about ten white flowers on the periphery, with yellow central flowers. Each flower is replaced by a seed crowned with a tuft of tawny bristles, which makes it decorative in winter. The deciduous foliage is medium green. The basal leaves are wider, with smooth or dentate edges, while the leaves on the stems are long, slender, and lanceolate. This perennial is an important host plant in the life cycle of certain butterflies, such as the pearl crescent and the silver-bordered fritillary.

It is impossible to imagine our garden without asters in its beds or borders. This one is particularly suitable for moist soil and will be magnificent near water features. It pairs well with other tall, slightly wild plants such as fennel, meadow rues, angelica, and Buenos Aires verbena.