Kalimeris mongolica Antonia

Kalimeris mongolica 'Antonia', sometimes called Mongolian aster 'Antonia', is a recent hybrid, descended from a large perennial native to central Asia related to asters. This somewhat obscure species is unjustly overlooked. It is a remarkable perennial, little used in gardens despite its endless summer flowering and its extraordinary adaptability. Rivalling the stars of asters, the beautifully coloured flowers of 'Antonia' are similar to small blue-purple daisies with a dark centre. They emerge in abundance from an erect and bushy clump composed of tall leafy stems. It will thrive anywhere, in any soil, in all exposures and under all climates. 

Kalimeris mongolica, also known as Aster lautureanus var. mongolicus, Aster mongolicus, or Kalimeris pinnatafida 'Hortensis', is an herbaceous plant of the Asteraceae family native to Mongolia, eastern Russia, and Korea. It forms erect clumps, composed of narrow and deeply incised leaves in the lower part of the stems, smaller and entire in the upper part. The abundant flowers follow one another from the beginning of summer until the first frost, if care is taken to regularly remove faded flowers. The flowers are heads, composed of numerous mauve florets arranged in a collar around a colourful dark yellow centre.

Blooming abundantly in late summer and autumn, at the same time as our summer asters, this very hardy, very resistant and particularly adaptable plant deserves to be included in all country gardens. It is perfect for low-maintenance gardens, as it requires no care or watering. It pairs very well with all other border plants such as heleniums, asters, Salvia microphylla, Limonium gmelinii subsp. hungaricum, or Rudbeckia triloba. Plant it with the other aster that likes dry soils, Aster diplostephioides. This aster will give its best when planted in groups of 3 to 5 plants, in large sunny borders, on dry embankments, at the back of a garden that is never watered. It perfectly accompanies autumn colours until the arrival of winter. It is certainly worth trying to grow it and planting without any risk.