Aster cordifolius Ideal

Aster cordifolius 'Ideal' lives up to its name! Its spectacular flowering occurs in late summer, when one would think the flower season is ending. It is then covered with countless small star-shaped lavender-blue flowers with yellow hearts that turn pink. The whole plant is covered in a cloud of butterflies and insects that enjoy its nectar and bring the garden to life. It also makes lovely airy bouquets. This hardy and robust perennial requires little attention and offers abundant and long-lasting flowering.

Its characteristics are easy to spot from its name: it belongs to the Asteraceae family and has heart-shaped leaves at the base. It is an herbaceous perennial with stems that can reach nearly 1m (3ft) in height. They are quite sturdy and do not bend much in the wind, forming an erect clump. Along the stems, the deciduous leaves are lanceolate, rather long, acute, and dentate. At the top, large panicles studded with multiple miniature daisies form big and airy clusters. The ligulate flowers on the outer edge of these small heads display a blue that varies from violet. They reflect a heart that changes from yellow to pink, warming up the shades of this ensemble. Native to North America, Aster cordifolius is not afraid of the cold, and 'Ideal' shows no particular sensitivity to powdery mildew.

Next to Vernonias and the many other cultivars of asters, 'Ideal' will make a beautiful background for an autumnal and country-style flower bed. Plant echinaceas, grasses, and other late summer flowers at the front of the bed. Heucheras and sedums can happily line the edge of the lawn. This easy and sturdy perennial will delight nature enthusiasts.