Aster divaricatus Beth Chatto

Aster divaricatus 'Beth Chatto', (also known as Eurybia divaricata 'Beth Chatto') is perhaps the best variety of divaricate aster, recently renamed Eurybia divaricata. With a more balanced habit and more floriferous than the wild species, this cultivar tolerates shaded situations just like its ancestor, making it valuable for ornamenting woodland gardens or north or east-facing borders. It quickly forms an elegant ground cover with dark stems and broad olive-green foliage adorned with a thousand small white stars from July to September. It is a hardy and carefree perennial, perfect for wild or low-maintenance gardens.

It belongs to the Asteraceae family. It is native to the Appalachians and clearings in Canada (eastern North America). This deciduous perennial develops from spring and dies down in winter. The 'Beth Chatto' cultivar, selected in England, quickly forms a beautiful, flexible, spreading, and regular clump that will reach 50 to 60cm (20 to 24in) in height when flowering, with a similar spread. The generous and prolonged flowering usually takes place from July to September. The inflorescence is a head with white ligulate peripheral flowers. The central flowers (the heart) are bright yellow. Together, they form delicate clusters composed of countless small stars with very thin "branches" of pure white. This aster develops strong, zig-zag, almost black, branching stems. The leaves are broad at the base, pointed at their tips. They are olive-green, turning more purplish in the sun and towards the end of the season. This plant spreads rapidly through branching rhizomes that elongate and become woody with age.

It is impossible to imagine our gardens without asters. 'Beth Chatto' is charming, unpretentious, and particularly undemanding. It pairs very well with all other plants in beds, in partial shade or in the sun. For example, it can be planted with Japanese anemones or Physalis franchetti, or with another aster that likes woodlands, Aster cordifolius and its cultivars 'Ideal' or 'Little Carlow'. Its knotty, spreading stems make excellent ground covers. This aster will give its best when planted in groups, in large beds at the base of trees or bushes, but can also be planted with other robust shade-loving perennials such as Ligularia dentata 'Desdemona' or Trachystemon orientale.