There is no other michaelmas daisy quite like Aster × frikartii ‘Mönch’. Easy, reliable, spectacular. It starts into flower earlier than any other Aster — typically July in my garden — and flowers for longer — in my garden I have had it in bloom for five months (see photo below, taken in December). However, it is at its best in September, when hundreds of lilac flower heads festoon each plant, creating clouds of colour and cascades of daisies. All this at a time when most perennials have passed their best.
[Photos taken at dusk]
△ On sunny days Aster ‘Mönch’ is buzzing with pollinators. I have recorded many species of bee, hover-fly and butterfly visiting it in my garden. [Eristalis nemorum Sep 2023]
▷ Fading flowers of Aster ‘Mönch’ curl up (rather photogenically) and are quickly replaced by newly opened ones. Consequently, deadheading is unnecessary until late September, at which point the older flowers begin to outnumber the new.
▽ The Mönch aster makes a good cut flower. Here it is in a vase with some orange roses. Even when the water level dropped and some of the aster stems were left high and dry they recovered surprisingly quickly — better than the roses in fact.
How to Grow
Tough and disease resistant, Aster × frikartii ‘Mönch’ will grow in any reasonable well-drained soil as long as it does not become waterlogged. It prefers full sun, but will tolerate part-shade. Avoid overhanging branches. Every few years it is best to divide the plant to maintain vigour. Ideally, this should be done in early spring, although I have dug up and moved clumps successfully in the autumn, and even left such divisions in a pot for many months without harm.
Reaching 2-3ft (60-90cm) tall, Aster ‘Mönch’ should be planted towards the middle of the border. The lower stems can be rather bare (as above). These can be hidden by planting suitable perennials in front of them. In shade or after heavy rain, Mönch’s stems can flop, so may benefit from support. That said, if they flop early in the season, the branching stems tend to fill in any gaps, creating a neat mound as they have done in one of my corner beds, below.
What to plant with Aster × frikartii ‘Mönch’
I have four clumps of Aster ‘Mönch’ growing in my Mediterranean Pond Garden, part of which is seen here. In this scene it is growing with tall purple Verbena bonaiensis and silver-blue Perovskia atriplicifolia; Shorter plants include mauve Tulbaghia violace, various pink Sedums, pink and white Alliums (A. senescens ‘glaucum’ and A. tuberousa) and sea thrift (Armeria maritima). Silvery-blue foliage is provided by Artemisia alba ‘Canescens’, Euphorbia myrsinites and Snow-in-Summer (Cerastium tomentosum)
Also Looks Great With…
As always, I am totally flashed! Wonderful article. Thanks.
Thanks so much Monica! Glad you’re flashed (that’s a good thing, right?)
This is a beautiful aster, haven’t seen this one before. Did your local nursery carry this one? I love how long the flowers last. I’m reducing my lawn to just pathways around planting beds of native plants. It’s slow going but I’m excited about the process and seeing more wildlife.
Good question. Where did I get it from? I can’t remember!
That’s an interesting project (the meadow planting.) I’m sure the wildlife will come. Get a camera with a macro lens and be sure to record them – taking photographs really makes you notice what’s there.
I’ve just seen this company is selling 3x plug plants for just £6.99 – a bargain! https://www.hotplantco.co.uk/4237/Aster-frikartii-Monch