Tatarian Aster

A profusion of lavender pink flowers cluster at the top of towering stems in autumn. Each is around 2-3cm across with a golden centre.

Plant Tartarian Aster towards the back of garden beds where the tall stems can laud it over the rest of the garden. It rarely requires staking, but should be protected from strong winds. The lower leaves are dense and each can grow up to 60cm long but up top they are much smaller.

By dead heading the plants regularly you will promote more blooms, plus the flowers last well in a vase.

Tougher than they look, once established the plants don't require a lot of water, even though they grow and flowers through the hotter times of the year. Grow in moderately fertile to humus rich, well drained soil. Divide this rhizomatous herbaceous perennial every three or four years to keep it looking good.

In the language of flowers, Aster's denote love or daintiness. The word, Aster, is Latin for Star. Asters are commonly known as Easter Daisies or Michaelmas Daisies.

In Korea this Aster is known as gaemichwi and is eaten. It has long been used in Chinese medicine. It is currently under investigation in modern medicine for its anti inflammatory properties on the nervous system. As always wed don’t recommend consumption without doing your own research.