Aster alpinus Albus

Aster alpinus Albus, also known as White Alpine Aster and Alpine Aster, is a perennial plant with a woody stump, native to European mountains. It is a beloved rockery plant, displaying large white flowers with a yellow-brown centre in late spring and the first half of summer, above dark green foliage. It is a fully hardy perennial, easy to grow in full sun, in regular, occasionally dry soil.

Aster alpinus Albus belongs to the Asteraceae family, originating from the Alps, where it grows in mid-mountain zones, among rocks and pastures. This perennial forms a spreading and erect tufted habit from spring, forming dense and compact mats. It will not exceed 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 in) in height when flowering, and will spread about 20 cm (8 in), with a rather slow growth. Flowering takes place in May-June. The inflorescence is a head with white ligulate peripheral flowers. The central flowers (the heart) are yellow marked with brown. The heads measure about 4 cm (2 in) in diameter, and are always solitary. This aster is a deciduous perennial with hairy stems. The basal leaves, 9 cm (4 in) long, are pubescent, rough on both sides, generally entire, elongated, lanceolate, and dark green. They are petiolate and acute. The fruit is an achene topped with a bristle of a dirty white colour, with bristles twice as long as the achene. This plant spreads through underground woody stems.

In nature, Aster alpinus Albus can be found in warm and limestone areas, on short grass meadows, in clearings, on the edge of forests, on slopes, and along paths. It can be used as inspiration in the garden, planted in sunny rockeries, alongside Scabiosa columbaria 'Pink Mist' or Sedum 'Red Cauli', emerging from a carpet of delosperma 'kelaidis'. It is also perfect for creating a transition between perennial borders and pathways or the top of walls. And of course, it can be planted in rockeries, alpine troughs, or even in pots.