Aster ericoides Schneetanne

Aster ericoides 'Schneetanne', which can be translated into English as 'snow fir', is a very beautiful variety of Heath Aster that is appreciated for its abundant and long-lasting, white and cloud-like flowering in late summer. It is a very attractive perennial even before flowering, forming a bush covered with small narrow leaves until autumn. Its well-branched stems, adorned with tiny white flowers, look wonderful in English or natural-style flowerbeds and allow for the creation of very pretty, poetic bouquets. This plant is trouble-free: no staking required, no diseases, and it can withstand temporary drought!

Aster ericoides, now renamed Symphyotichum ericoides, belongs to the large family of Asteraceae. This botanical species is native to the eastern and central United States, as well as northern Mexico. 'Schneetanne' is an old cultivar selected in Germany by Karl Foerster for its more compact and branched habit, and its particularly long and generous flowering, in pure white. The plant has an upright and bushy habit, reaching a height of 90cm (35in) to 1.10m (4ft), with a spread of 50cm (20in). Flowering occurs from September (sometimes late August depending on the climate) to late October. The thin, flexible but sturdy and well-branched stems are covered with tiny white flower heads with yellow centres, measuring less than 1cm (1in) in diameter, much appreciated by butterflies. The dark green, very fine foliage consists of small pointed and lanceolate leaves. Once flowering is over, the stems dry up. However, numerous small leaves appear at the base of this aster, persisting throughout the winter.

It is impossible to imagine our gardens without asters in the borders. This particular variety is not demanding in terms of soil type and is resistant to powdery mildew. It pairs very well with other plants in the flowerbed, such as herbaceous salvias, perennial geraniums, echinaceas, or the other woodland-loving aster, Aster cordifolius, and its cultivars 'Ideal' or 'Little Carlow'. Asters grow quickly and can fill empty spaces in newly planted hedges. In beds you can create layers and rounded, fleecy volumes by combining with asters of different statures and sizes, for example with the Aster ericoides prostratus 'Snow Flurry'. You could also try planting with autumn flowering roses, which will be highlighted perfectly by its mist of small flowers. This plant also makes an excellent cut flower.