Monch Frikart's Aster
Monch Frikart's Aster (Aster x frikartii 'Monch')
Monch Frikart's Aster is a free-flowering perennial bearing lavender-blue daisies with golden centers from midsummer to frost. Its bushy, upright habit and clean foliage add dependable late-season color to sunny borders and cutting gardens.
Distinctive Features
Exceptionally long bloom window with minimal deadheading pairs with good mildew resistance and sturdy stems that hold flowers well in weather.
Growing Conditions
- Sun Exposure: Full sun for best flowering.
- Soil: Well drained, moderately fertile soil; avoid heavy, waterlogged sites.
- Water: Moderate; water to establish, then provide occasional deep watering in dry spells.
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5 to 9.
- Mature Size: 2 to 3 ft tall and 2 to 3 ft wide.
Ideal Uses
- Focal Point: Masses of lavender-blue daisies draw attention in late-season plantings.
- Mixed Borders: Threads color among grasses and summer perennials.
- Pollinator Gardens: Nectar-rich blooms support bees and butterflies.
- Cut Flowers: Long stems and durable flowers suit fresh arrangements.
- Mass Planting: Creates cohesive drifts for extended seasonal color.
Low Maintenance Care
- Watering: Keep evenly moist during establishment; water deeply during prolonged heat.
- Pruning: Shear lightly by one third in early summer to shape and encourage branching; deadhead to extend bloom.
- Fertilizing: Top-dress with compost in spring or use a balanced, slow-release fertilizer.
- Mulching: Apply a 2 to 3 in mulch layer to conserve moisture and suppress weeds, keeping mulch off crowns.
- Notes: Provide full sun and air flow to limit flopping; stake only in very windy sites.
Why Choose Monch Frikart's Aster?
- Season-Long Color: Flowers steadily from midsummer to frost.
- Clean Foliage: Good mildew resistance keeps plants looking fresh.
- Versatile: Fits borders, meadows, and cutting gardens.
- Wildlife Value: Strong nectar source for pollinators late in the season.
- Reliable Habit: Bushy, upright form needs minimal staking.
Plant in full sun with well drained soil, give a light early-summer shear, and deadhead to maximize the long bloom season.
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