Frikart's Aster

Aster x frikartii

Easy · Beginner friendly

About Frikart's Aster

Frikart's Aster is a hybrid perennial from Switzerland, 24–30 inches tall, bearing lavender-blue daisy flowers with gold centers continuously from midsummer to frost—an unusually long bloom season for an aster. Mildew-resistant and tidy. The cultivar 'Monch' won the Royal Horticultural Society Award of Garden Merit and is widely considered one of the finest border asters in American perennial gardening. Hardy zones 5–8.

Deer-resistant
Disease-resistant
Long-blooming
Pollinator-friendly

WATER

Regular

Top inch dry

LIGHT

Full sun

6+ hrs direct

HARDY

Hardy to -20°F (-29°C)

USDA hardiness zones 5–8

How to care for Frikart's Aster

Watering

Springevery 5 days
Summerevery 4 days
Fallevery 7 days
Winterpause watering

Soil · Well-draining

Top dressingPine bark mulch10%
Main mixPotting soil + perlite 2:170%
DrainageLECA / gravel20%

Never skip the drainage layer — standing water is the top cause of root rot.

FERTILIZER

Balanced Feed 14-14-14

An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.

N33%P33%K33%

Nitrogen · Leaves
Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
Potassium · Strength

Springevery 30 days
Summerevery 30 days

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At a Glance

NativeEurope, East Asia
Height2–3 ft (0.6–0.9 m)
Spread1.5–2 ft (0.5–0.6 m)
Flower colorPurple, Blue
Foliage colorGreen
SoilWell-drained, Loamy, Neutral
LocationsYard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

Jul–Nov

Lavender-blue daisies midsummer to frost

Fragrance

LIGHT FRAGRANCE

The flowers have a mild scent.

Toxicity

No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Native

Europe
East Asia

History

Illustrated historical scene for Frikart's Aster

Aster x frikartii originated around 1918 at Carl Ludwig Frikart's nursery in Stäfa, Switzerland, through crossing the European A. amellus with the Himalayan A. thomsonii. Frikart named four cultivars after Swiss mountains: 'Mönch', 'Jungfrau', 'Eiger', and 'Wunder von Stäfa' (Wonder of Stäfa). 'Mönch' has become particularly celebrated, regularly cited among the top herbaceous perennials ever bred, admired for exceptionally long bloom from July through October, soft lavender-blue rays, and remarkable mildew resistance.

Graham Stuart Thomas and many other influential British plantsmen championed it throughout the 20th century. It remains a staple of mixed borders, cottage gardens, and naturalistic plantings across temperate climates worldwide. 'Monch' and 'Wonder of Stafa' remain standards in American borders and have won numerous horticultural awards.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Frikart's Aster suggests Enduring love through the simple act of blooming longer than any other aster in American gardens — month after month into autumn. It is often read as a flower of Patience rewarded, returning faithfully as other perennials fade. Each lavender ray is a small vow, kept quietly across the long second half of summer.

Enduring love — longest-blooming aster in US gardens
Patience rewarded — long season of quiet beauty

Where the Name Comes From

Genus means 'star'; 'frikartii' honors breeder Carl Ludwig Frikart.

Uses & Fun Facts

Lavender-blue daisies feed late-season bees and butterflies
Long-stemmed blooms last well in autumn arrangements
Months-long bloom anchors perennial border front

Related plants

More Aster plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Frikart's Aster?

Water about every 5 days during the growing season, and always let excess water drain away.

How much light does Frikart's Aster need?

Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Frikart's Aster toxic to cats or dogs?

No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant. Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Frikart's Aster easy to grow?

Yes — it is considered an easy, beginner-friendly plant.

When does Frikart's Aster bloom?

It typically blooms Jul–Nov in the Northern Hemisphere.

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