Alpine Aster

(Aster alpinus)

Alpine Aster (Aster alpinus)

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Estimated Native Range
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Summary

Aster alpinus, commonly known as Alpine Aster, is a deciduous perennial herb that thrives in alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and tundra regions across North America and Eurasia. This plant typically reaches a modest height of 10-35 cm and grows in a single crown form, which refers to its clumping habit with a central growing point. Alpine Aster is notable for its daisy-like flowers that come in shades of blue, indigo, violet, white, or pink, blooming in the summer and providing a showy display. The leaves are lanceolate-spatulate, meaning they are shaped like a lance head with a broad base, and are basal, growing at the base of the stem.

Alpine Aster is valued for its ability to attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and birds, making it a beneficial addition to wildlife gardens. It is well-suited for rock gardens, borders, and alpine garden settings due to its compact size and vibrant flowers. While it prefers cooler climates, it is adaptable to a range of soil types, including those with varying clay, silt, and loam compositions. For optimal growth, Alpine Aster should be planted in full sun and provided with medium amounts of water, ensuring the soil has medium to slow drainage to prevent waterlogging. Despite its preference for low fertility soils, it can tolerate a range of conditions, making it a versatile choice for gardeners.CC BY-SA 4.0

Plant Description

  • Plant Type: Herb
  • Height: 0.5-0.3 feet
  • Width: 0.5-1 feet
  • Growth Rate: Slow
  • Flower Color: Pink, Purple
  • Flowering Season: Summer
  • Leaf Retention: Deciduous

Growth Requirements

  • Sun: Full Sun
  • Water: Medium
  • Drainage: Medium, Slow

Common Uses

Bank Stabilization, Bee Garden, Bird Garden, Butterfly Garden, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Groundcover, Hummingbird Garden, Low Maintenance, Potted Plant, Rabbit Resistant, Rock Garden, Salt Tolerant, Showy Flowers, Street Planting

Natural Habitat

Native to alpine meadows, rocky slopes, and tundra regions across North America and Eurasia

Other Names

Common Names: Alpen-Aster , Alpaster

Scientific Names: Aster alpinus , Aster scaber , Aster alpinus subsp. dolomiticus , Aster alpinus var. dolomiticus , Aster alpinus var. cylleneus , Aster alpinus var. bohemicus , Aster alpinus var. breyninus , Aster alpinus var. oxyceramis , Aster alpinus var. subscaposus , Aster fallax var. fallax , Aster hispanicus

GBIF Accepted Name: Aster alpinus L.