Frikart’s aster has an extraordinarily long bloom period, from late July into early October. (Richie Steffen)

Frikart’s aster has an extraordinarily long bloom period, from late July into early October. (Richie Steffen)

Great Plant Pick: Aster x frikartii “Jungfrau,” Frikart’s aster

Frikart’s aster has an extraordinarily long bloom period, from late July into early October.

What: Aster x frikartii “Jungfrau” is a sister seedling of Aster x frikartii “Mönch,” and like its sister, it has an extraordinarily long bloom period, from late July into October. Its flower heads have blue-purple ray florets with a central disk of yellow. Frikart’s asters stand out in the late summer and autumn seasons when other plants are starting to fade.

Where: Grow Frikart’s aster in full sun and rich, well-drained soil.

Size: The perennial grows to be 3 feet tall and 3 feet wide when mature.

Care: Water at least once a week during the dry season. For strong stems, use a minimal amount of fertilizer. Over-fertilizing can cause weak stems. Prune to the ground in autumn once flowering is finished and the leaves start to yellow.

— Richie Steffens, Great Plant Picks

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