Few perennials can match the exquisite beauty and easy care of Aster x frikartii 'Monch' (Frikart's Aster). Blooming early and lasting throughout summer and fall, this stunning plant showcases masses of soft lavender-blue, star-shaped flowers with golden-yellow centers.

‘Monch’ features 2” diameter daisy-like flowers with lavender blue rays and yellow centers. Flowers are borne in profusion on a compact, multi-stemmed plant typically growing to 2’ tall with a loose, bushy, open habit. Flowers freely from early summer to fall. Oblong leaves (to 2.5” long) are dark green, rough and disease-free.

Its graceful 2–3' stems bear masses of 2½" flowers all summer, in an extraordinary shade of lavender blue. An outstanding middle of the border plant with Achillea, Alchemilla, Alstroemeria, Antirrhinum, and Astrantia. 'Mönch' flowers best in full sun and evenly moist but well-drained soil. Best treated as an annual in the Deep South.

In some gardening circles, ‘Mönch’ is acclaimed as one of the 10 best perennials. Prolific, 2 ½ in. lavender flowers bloom generously for months on end. The clear shade blends with so many others: lilac-colored Geranium renardii, Ballota pseudodictamnus and Kniphofia ‘Green Jade’. Blooms July–October. Size: 18" high x 2' 0" wide. Hardy to zone 5.

Aster x frikartii, Monch - Easy to grow and early to bloom, there is nothing we don't love about Aster x frikartii 'Monch'! Pollinators of all sorts will love the profusion of pale-purple, daisy-like flowers as much as you will.

aster 'Mönch' A vigorous, clump-forming perennial to 70cm tall, with dark green foliage and strong, well-branched stems. Bears loose clusters of long-lasting, yellow to orange-centred, lavender-blue daisies 5cm across, in late summer and early autumn

Asters get under way in midsummer and the earliest is always Aster × frikartii 'Mönch, with long-rayed lavender daisies that begin in July. It’s drought tolerant and easy, being bred from two European species by Mr Frikart.

In late summer and autumn it is covered in masses of rich lavender blue, yellow centred daisy-like flowers. It makes a wonderful companion plant in the border and combines well with oranges and reds. Attractive to insects. Awarded the RHS Award of Garden Merit. Introduced in 1918 by Swiss plantsman Frikart and named after a mountain.