Aster x frikartii Monch
A great plant for the garden, a great mountain to visit!
This article appeared in the English Garden magazine
So many Asters, and now so many names , but that is another story .... but almost certainly , if I had to chose one Aster for the garden, it would be this one. I have known Monch since 1962, when I worked in Switzerland,at the nursery where it was raised , and got it’s name. In fact it was in 1918 that Karl Frikart introduced three hybrids which he named after famous Swiss mountains, Eiger, Jungfrau and Monch. So we are coming up for the 100thanniversary of Aster x frikartii Monch , still going strong and worthy to recommend highly to those gardeners who may not be aware of it.
The mountain called Monch in the Swiss Alps, not seen, the Eiger to the left and Jungfrau on the right.
So what is so impressive about Aster Monch ?
It’s longevity. Longevity as a long lived perennial, given the right conditions, longevity in it’s flowering performance and period of flowering.
It’s characteristics. In spring slender stems emerge from dormancy branched with light green leaves, growing to about 90 cm when in late June or early July first pale lilac blue flowers appear rayed around a yellow centre. The pastel elegant flowers clash with few other plants, flowering continuing until frosts . ‘ Monch’ doesn’t like to be crowded by other plants , prefers some space, sun or half shade and free draining soil. It may not thrive on heavy or compacted soil , so improvement must be made with thorough preparation, mixing in plenty of compost or leafmold. Given freedom of expression Monch is a greatly rewarding plant, if given good treatment. Height 90 cm ( 3ft. ) and given space a similar width.
Long-flowering and graceful with beautifully rayed lavender-blue petals, this aster is a gardener’s delight !
Aster Monch in close-up, Colours can vary a little, according to light
Some combinations to consider, which have worked well at Bressingham .
Aster Monch with Hydrangea paniculata and Panicum virgatum. On the right, a combination with Hydrangea Annabelle, Rudbeckia and the purple leaved Cercis .
Recently, most Asters have had their names changed to Symphyotrichum, which was not good news for gardeners who have known these plants for years under the more common name. Luckily for some, including Aster amellus and hybrids like Aster x frikartii Monch, have retained their original names. There is nothing like the range of asters to give a colourful display in late summer and into autumn. These are mostly easy to grow and can reach from 30 to 150 cm in height, or more. The blues and purples stand out against golden flowered Rudbeckias and even against the early Autumn colour. One of our favourite combinations includes Aster amellus Veilchenkonigin and Cornus sanguinea Midwinter Fire.
