Aster Frikartii Monch
Of all the Asters which we have grown, Frikartii Monch stands out as one of our favourites.
Although at the moment there is not so very much to tell you about our Cheshire garden, I can always continue with my plant profiles for the cooler temperatures of North East Scotland.
We may have left Aberdeen, however I still have many plants which we grew there and as yet I haven’t got around to talking about.
Whichever plant I talk about I will always make a point of stating whether it was grown in Aberdeen or our new Cheshire garden.
Many of the perennial Asters grown in Aberdeen, tend to be very late in the season before they come into flower. Frikartii Monch however, placed in a sunny position should flower from late July through till October. The pale Lavender blue flowers are quite outstanding, and this one does not suffer from the mildew normally associated with Asters.
The picture of Frikartii Monch above was taken twelve years ago. It was in the main border of the back garden, placed in a position where it received full sun, and by late July it did start blooming.
Three planted together will be more effective as I find Frikartii Monch although hardy, does not clump up readily, on the other hand this could be well to do with the fact that our soil was a bit too acidic.
Free draining soil is an essential requirement, however this does not mean it likes dry conditions, keep it well watered throughout the Summer.
Frikartii Monch was bred by a Swiss Nursery man named Frikart in 1918.
Frikartii Monch was reintroduced in our garden again in 2013, picture above shows it in early Autumn.
In spite of the numerous wider angled pictures which I took of Frikartii this time around, none of them were fit to publish, in fact even this close up above is poorer than my original old photo.
I so much wanted this perennial in our garden again, I ended up planting it in the only position available, which really was too shady. As a result, it didn’t bloom until we were into September, and to be quite honest if it hadn’t been for the spectacular Summer I think it may have struggled completely.
The Royal Horticultural society has given this plant there prestigious award of garden merit. Not that easy to find in local garden centres but definitely worth the search.
Hardiness – Fully hardy
Height – 90cm
Position – Full sun/partial shade (go for full sun in Aberdeen)
*** Aster Frikartii monch ***
_______________________
We still seem to be at a stage where we seek familiarity of home. The picture below sums it up. Tubs and containers placed at the front of our new house are all very familiar to us.
I am quite fond of this large tree in our front garden. At this stage I have no idea what it is. The birds love it, well especially the food we hang from its branches, the squirrels are also very entertaining, I have seen five of them chase each other whilst the birds enjoy the offerings we give.
At the front window we have placed this bird feeder with fatty balls. I wasn’t convinced it would be used as back home they preferred to enjoy this treat from a distance. Well, I was quite wrong, seems like our feathered friends are much bolder down here in Cheshire.
The blue tit shares a meal with its cousin the great tit.
In the back garden, close to the house we have this choisya aztec pearl.
I have seen Choisya (Mexican orange blossom) growing in Aberdeen, but they can struggle to get through the Winter. This one below is looking very healthy alongside the Rhododendron, which indicates the soil is on the acidic side.
Unfortunately the Choisya will have to go, as it takes up a position where the house extension will be. I will try to save it but I am not too hopeful.
Finally, a few weeks ago I was contacted by a lady in Aberdeen who had come across my Aberdeen gardening blog. She was telling me that she was a very keen gardener and was looking to start up her own blog. She wanted to name it, My Aberdeen Garden and as the title was very similar to my site she was asking if I would feel miffed. My first thought was, hmm, I am not sure about this. Then I realised, who am I to object. Well anyway My Aberdeen Garden by Annette is not associated to Aberdeen Gardening but it certainly is worth checking out. Happy blogging Annette.
If you happen to leave a comment I will be sure to visit your site and do the same
Hi Deb, I find this one doesn’t grow as tall as many of the other Asters.
The choisya is very pretty and definitely worth trying to save. The aster is beautiful. My problem with it, as well as other asters, is the height. I wish someone would come out with a beautiful aster half the size!
Well chuffed you dropped by Greggo.
Donna, At the moment it still feels like living in someone else’s house.
It is nice to see and hear more about the new house and garden. I also love this aster. It grows well here in my clay soil in moist areas…and the butterflies adore it in fall.
Greetings for icy cold Kansas, Allistair! I am quite chuffed to see your new gardens, I am sure all kinds of artistic expressions of gardening grandeur is dancing in your head. he he. I must have a look so on this aster. Good to read from again. Salom,Greggo.
Janet,I need to find a spot for this Aster in our new garden.
Hi Alistair, you have profiled one of my favourite plants, though I had to wait until our own move to plant it in the ground. Good luck savinf the choisya though I suppose if you don’t manage to at least you know it will thrive in your new location.
Good idea, we never really think of Snowdrops for containers Carolyn.
Nice to see that you are up and at it with the blog. I have tried Monch but was never able to keep it going. Acid soil and too much shade I guess. It is a great aster for its disease resistance though. Your containers are a great start to your new garden—some snowdrops in a container for late winter…just an idea.
I also can be reluctant to push the barriers Rick. Always useful to have container grown plants.
Unfortunately I do not do well with asters in my damp shady garden and, although I tend not to grow anything which does not suit the conditions, your pictures have tempted me into possibly including asters with my container grown perennials for late colour. This way I can control the both the soil conditions and even the light to a certain degree.
Annette, a good few of the pictures in my link
(A to Z of our garden plants) were photographed back then.
Helene, I think for us it will be a case of enjoying the garden for what it is this year. If the Summer temperatures get into the 80s, it will be quite a novelty putting on shorts and exposing my scrawny legs. Sure will take a look at your wish list when I pop over.
Hi Alistair, what a pretty aster – not sure if it will like my acid soil and rather shady garden but I am going to revamp one part of my south facing bed this summer which gets a least afternoon sun so I will be able to include some new plants. My wish list is getting longer and longer, there are so many plants I read about that I would like to have! (You can see my wish list on my blog, separate tab.)
It must be wonderful although a bit daunting to start from scratch again with a new garden, looking forward to see what you do with it this year.
Take care, Helene.
Hi Alistair,
Thanks so much for the plug – can’t wait for the spring so I can really get going with my blog. I am very impressed that you could pull up a photo from 12 years ago. I suppose a good photo filing system is very important with blogging.
I have not had much luck with asters so far, but reading your blog I don’t think they have been given enough sun. I will certainly try to find Frikartii Monch and try again.
Pam, the interior of the house is going to be completely changed, still haven’t made any real decisions regarding the garden.
Of course, I must have asters as they are a cottage garden flower. Mine bloom late which I love as there are few colorful flowers at that time. However, Frikartii Monch is a summer bloomer here and I think I must have it too. I see you have already begun to make your distinctive mark on your new garden! Love the blue-tits. P. x
Hi Cathy and Steve, thanks for dropping by. Your move makes my 370 mile journey seem like a visit into town, good luck with it all.
Thanks Patrick, I always welcome the wisdom of your words.
Thanks Patrick, I think you exaggerate my worthiness.
Thanks for dropping by, I will pop over sometime to see what the singing gardener gets up to.
Lovely asters, something that I would like to try.
Forgot to mention, as a marketing communications professional with over 25 years of experience, I’d highly recommend Annette find a more unique name especially when she’s casting herself in the shadow of your heavyweight (so to speak) blog. Will leave her a note in a comment. I do have some cultural heritage in this area as my grandfather emigrated from Scotland to Australia in the 1920s but then we continued our family’s extended voyage around the world by coming to Kansas in 1978. Maybe future generations will stay put6 for a while.
Hey Alistair,
Must totally concur on a thumbs up for Mr. Friskart’s creation. Must be nice to have one’s name memorialized for generations to come. Can just imagine a tight-clustered pink variety or would the parallel be a species known as Aster alistairii, my friend?
Best,
Patrick
Alistair, somehow, your move passed me by… perhaps because we, too, are moving. We are relocating from the Atlantic (East) Coast to the West Coast in the heart of Wine Country, Napa Valley. We will miss our gardens but look forward to the adventure of building new ones.
As for Frikartii, we have this growing in our rose island and it’s gorgeous… a solid bloomer. I find anything lavender in color … catmint, violets, ajuga, lavender, delphinium, bachelor’s buttons …. to be such a perfect fit as companion plants with roses. And this gives long lasting color…. trim it back and just keeps on blooming.
Looking forward to seeing what you do in Cheshire!
Cathy and Steve