Aster x frikartii 'Monch' AGM (or Symphyotrichum-new name)  is well deserving of its Award of Garden Merit.  If you only have room for one Aster then this might be the one for you.  Sprays of large lavender-blue daisy-like flowers with yellow centres from July to late September & are attractive to bees, butterflies & moths. Light green foliage turns golden in autumn.  Mildew resistant.  Approx. 90 cm tall but doesn't usually need staking. Easily grown in any sunny border in any  reasonably fertile soil. Hardy & deciduous. Divide every three years to keep plant vigorous.  Looks superb with grasses, Crocosmia 'Lucifer' &  Kniphofias such as 'Percy's Pride' or 'Nancy's Red'

Do not cut down in autumn. The flowers produce fluffy, pom-poms of seeds which are enjoyed by seed eating birds. The tangled stems are good shelter for spiders & other insects which provides food for insect eating birds such as wrens & blue tits.

2 litre pot.