Aster a. Asran P9 - ORG

Towards the end of summer, when the gardens start to quieten down, the Aster “Asran” steals the show. The small, purple flowers with their distinctive yellow centres appear in August and last well into September — just when you need them most in the garden. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more reliable autumn bloomer.

'Asran' is a cultivar of Aster ageratoides, the Japanese aster. This species is known for its vigorous growth and resistance to powdery mildew — a problem that can affect many other asters. So you don't worry about that here.

What does this aster need?

A sunny spot and well-drained soil are all it asks for. “Asran” is also resistant to salty winds, making it a good choice for gardens near the coast or in open, windy locations. Plant it about 40 cm apart; it grows to a height of 50 to 70 cm and slowly but surely forms an increasingly full clump.

A late lifeline for bees and butterflies

In August and September, it becomes increasingly difficult for bees and butterflies to find nectar. The flowers of ‘Asran’ are a welcome source at this time — small but numerous and easily accessible. In this way, your garden continues to contribute to local biodiversity even late in the season.

Asters also make excellent cut flowers. Cut the stems early in the morning, remove the lower leaves and place them in fresh water — then you can enjoy them in a vase for days on end.

Hardy and easy

Once planted, ‘Asran’ requires little attention. It returns every year, spreading gently and becoming fuller with age. After flowering, you can cut the stems back, but this only needs to be done in early spring — the seed heads are also decorative in winter and provide food for birds.