Unpack bare roots or rhizomes on arrival and plant them within a week. Until then, keep them somewhere cool and ensure the roots remain slightly moist, never wet.
Out of season
New
Aster
'Mönch'
Frikart's aster
Some flowers have a way of making the whole garden feel lighter, and Aster 'Mönch' does exactly that. From midsummer onwards, its graceful, branching stems carry an abundance of lavender-blue daisies, each with a glowing golden-yellow centre surrounded by slender, delicately arranged petals. The flowers are unusually large for an aster, reaching around 5cm across, and their cool violet-blue colouring looks particularly beautiful in the gentle light of early autumn. Fresh green foliage provides a lovely backdrop, while the relaxed, slightly airy growth gives the plant a wonderfully natural appearance. Aster 'Mönch' is especially attractive alongside golden rudbeckias, deep purple salvias and ornamental grasses, creating a harmonious combination of colour and texture that lasts well beyond the height of summer.
Originally bred in Switzerland, Aster 'Mönch' has earned its reputation as one of the finest long-flowering perennial asters. Growing to approximately 60–90cm tall, it forms generous, well-branched clumps that rarely need staking. Plant Aster 'Mönch' in a sunny position with fertile, well-drained soil, avoiding ground that remains waterlogged during winter. Its flowers are particularly valuable to bees and butterflies, providing a welcome source of nectar as the seasons change. Regular deadheading helps prolong the display, while occasional stems can be gathered for charming, informal bouquets. Unlike some other asters, Aster 'Mönch' also shows excellent resistance to powdery mildew, keeping its foliage attractive throughout the growing season. Reliable, graceful and remarkably generous with its flowers, Frikart's aster is a perennial that deserves a place in every thoughtfully planted autumn border.
Quantity
Plant profile
Plant calendar
Remove the packaging straight away, check the compost and water thoroughly if dry. Check the plant’s hardiness before placing it outdoors. Plant into a border or permanent container within a month, choosing the position recommended for the variety. Keep the top of the root ball level with the surrounding soil, firm gently and water well.
Soak the roots in water for three to six hours immediately before planting. Keep any crown, buds or emerging shoots above the water where possible.
Pot most bare roots into 15–20cm pots filled with peat-free multipurpose compost. Large or depth-sensitive roots, including peonies, are often best planted directly into borders.
Arrange the roots naturally without bending them. Cover the roots completely, positioning the crown and buds at the depth recommended for that particular perennial.
Keep pots in a sheltered outdoor position and water whenever the compost begins to dry. Grow on until roots hold the compost together when lifted from the pot.
Plant into a suitable border or permanent container once well rooted. Add a label and water regularly throughout the first growing season while the perennial establishes.
- Botanical name
- Aster × frikartii 'Mönch'
- Flower colour
- Lavender, blue
- Established height
- 30-50cm
- Established spread
- 30-50cm
- Growing skill
- Easy to grow
- Habit
-
Upright
Clump-forming - Hardiness
- Fully hardy
- Leaf colour
- Green
- Mouse resistant
- No
- Plant size
- 1
- Plant spacing
- 5 plants per m2
- Pollinator friendly
- Yes
- Position
- Sheltered
- Rabbit resistant
- Yes
- Scented
- No
- Soil acidity
- Any
- Soil moisture
-
Damp
Free draining - Soil type
-
Loam
Clay
Loam-based compost - Suitable for
-
Large containers
Borders
Cottage gardens
Low maintenance gardens - Sunlight
-
Full sun
Partial shade
Dappled shade - Toxicity
- No report
- Years to establish
- 2-3 years
Pollinator-friendly
Perennial
Fully hardy
Packed peat-free
Low maintenance
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