Aster dumosus Rosenwichtel

Aster dumosus 'Rosenwichtel' is a robust perennial that blooms between August and October with numerous pure pink flowers. The flowerheads resemble small daisies. The running stump produces ramified stems, adorned with lanceolate, dark green and glossy leaves.

Aster dumosus 'Rosenwichtel' reaches a maximum height of 30cm (12in). It brings the garden to life in late summer and early autumn, and thrives in a sunny or slightly shaded position in rich and moist soil. Easy to grow and hardy, this aster adds colour at a time when most flowering perennial plants have disappeared. You can plant them at the front of a border, but its very modest size makes it ideal for use in pots and containers, and it also looks wonderful along walls and rockeries. Combine it with grasses with slender foliage or with sedums and colourful heucheras.

Asters belong to the Asteraceae family, which mainly includes herbaceous plants. It is a highly diverse genus that offers a multitude of species in a wide range of colours. The most well-known asters bloom in autumn like this one, but some bloom earlier in the season, allowing amateur gardeners to enjoy this beautiful countryside flowering for longer.