{"product_id":"aster-alpinus-blue-9cm","title":"Aster alpinus 'Blue' \/ 9CM","description":"\u003ch1\u003eAster alpinus 'Blue'\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAster alpinus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eConfirmed format:\u003c\/strong\u003e 9cm potted alpine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Highlights\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLarge violet-blue daisy-like flowers with golden centres\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFlowers from late spring into early summer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompact habit ideal for rockeries and borders\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eExcellent for bees and other pollinating insects\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasy to grow in sunny, well-drained positions\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOverview\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eAster alpinus\u003c\/em\u003e, commonly known as Alpine Aster, is a compact, clump-forming perennial prized for its large daisy-like flowers that appear in late spring and early summer. This blue-flowered selection produces vibrant violet-blue blooms with bright golden-yellow centres, bringing fresh colour to rockeries, alpine gardens and the front of sunny borders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts naturally neat habit makes it an excellent choice for smaller gardens, gravel planting and patio containers. Flowering earlier than many other asters, it provides valuable colour at the transition from spring into summer while attracting bees and other beneficial pollinating insects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy We Love It\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBright blue flowers provide eye-catching seasonal colour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCompact size is perfect for rockeries and smaller spaces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn excellent nectar source for bees and pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEasy to grow with very little maintenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSuitable for both borders and decorative containers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant Details\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eAttribute\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth\u003eInformation\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eBotanical Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003e\u003cem\u003eAster alpinus\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAlpine Aster\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePlant Type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHerbaceous alpine perennial\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFoliage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLow clumps of green lance-shaped leaves\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlowering Period\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eLate spring to early summer (typically May–June)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFlowers\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eViolet-blue daisy-like flowers with golden-yellow centres\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGrowth Habit\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eCompact, clump-forming\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePosition\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFull sun\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eSoil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWell-drained, moderately fertile soil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Height\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 20–30cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eMature Spread\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eApproximately 20–30cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHardiness\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFully hardy in Irish gardens when grown in well-drained soil\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003ePosition\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlant in a sunny, open position where it receives plenty of direct sunlight. It is ideal for alpine beds, rockeries, gravel gardens and the front of borders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWatering\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWater regularly while establishing. Once established, plants tolerate short dry periods but perform best when watered during prolonged spells of hot, dry weather. Avoid prolonged waterlogging.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSoil\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGrow in fertile, free-draining soil. Sandy, gravelly or stony soils are ideal, and incorporating horticultural grit into heavier soils will improve drainage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHardiness and Winter Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFully hardy throughout Ireland. Ensure good winter drainage to protect the crown from prolonged wet conditions. The foliage dies back naturally in winter before fresh growth emerges in spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRoutine Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemove faded flowers to encourage a tidy appearance and prolong the display. Cut back old stems after flowering if required and divide established clumps every few years in spring or autumn to maintain vigour.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003ePerfect For\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRockeries and alpine gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFront of sunny borders.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eGravel gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePatio containers and alpine troughs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePollinator-friendly planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eGood to Know\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAlthough commonly sold as a blue variety, flower colour may range from soft lavender-blue to rich violet-blue depending on the individual plant and growing conditions. Alpine Aster flowers earlier than most autumn-flowering asters, making it a valuable source of colour in late spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eProduct Information\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBotanical identity: \u003cem\u003eAster alpinus\u003c\/em\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSupplied in a 9cm nursery pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Schram","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54710752084301,"sku":"5390907173088","price":3.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":false}],"url":"https:\/\/easygarden.ie\/products\/aster-alpinus-blue-9cm","provider":"Easy Garden Centre","version":"1.0","type":"link"}