Aster Species, Japanese Aster, Oriental Boltonia, Ghengis Khan Aster

I had this plant in my garden in Albion, MI before my fairly recent move to Massachusetts. It was a passalong plant from my mother, who m...Read Moreentioned that it was a favorite of the great garden writer Elizabeth Lawrence. It grew beautifully for me in a location where many a plant was histrionic or suicidal. The “Oxford Orphanage Plant,” as I was told it was called, was sturdy, reliable, and long-blooming. I wish I’d remembered to take some with me when I moved.

I'd rank this among the ten best/most useful garden perennials. Highly floriferous, blooming nonstop from the beginning of July to the mi...Read Moreddle of October. A neat upright habit and clean foliage, fine-textured foliage. Clumps expand slowly by short rhizomes, to 3' across in 12 years.

Flowers are single at the beginning of the season, but turn double as the season progresses. The central boss is yellowish, and the effect in the garden is cream rather than pure white. A great color blender, and actually a more useful color than pure white, but it can look dirty next to pure white flowers. Makes a great cut flower.

Tough, adaptable, long-lived, and as close to foolproof as a perennial can get. The flowers are self-cleaning---no deadheading is necessary. I know of no pests or diseases.

Full sun or light shade.

This plant should be grown much more often. Perhaps it's the name that puts people off. Also sometimes called "orphanage plant".

Have had this in my garden for the past 10 years after buying it labeled as "Feverfew." I never knew what it really was till last year. I...Read Moret has been great for me. Makes neat, tidy plants that bloom and bloom ALL SUMMER! Flowers are a crisp white with a bit of yellow in the center...great blenders. Foliage has a crisp herbal scent if you handle it. Unlike the other comment, I get tons of self-sown seedlings, but they are not thugs like other plants I've had (perennial bachelor button, etc.) You can easily pull them out, or repot and give to other gardeners. Plus, they are easily transplanted...I just moved a full sized plant in bloom, in 90 degree heat, and with a lot of watering it has come through just fine. Other times they will wilt but leaf back out if you cut them back. Bugs don't bother them, they don't require fertilizer or other care, bloom all summer, and look great with everything else or in bouquets..what more could you want?

This is an excellent "filler" plant giving the garden height. It reaches 4 foot here and has beautiful double white blooms, appears like...Read More "mini" mums. Does not developed mildew like most asters here.