Cordiofontis (Aster) peducularis

Himalayan Wood Aster Asteraceae

A rather wonderful Himalayan aster that deserves far more attention. This is a long-flowering, clump-forming perennial with attractive dark-green, toothed foliage and elegant, slender flower stems carrying relatively large, bright violet-blue daisies with conspicuous yellow centres. Unlike some of the more exuberant Michaelmas daisies, it has a distinctly graceful habit and is particularly useful where a little late-season colour is required without the plant taking over the border.

Its new name, Cordiofontis peduncularis, reflects its separation from the large and rather unwieldy genus Aster. The genus Cordiofontis was established by Guy L. Nesom in 2020, with C. peduncularis as one of its constituent species. The original Aster peduncularis was described from a Wallich collection made in Uttarakhand, India, and the species is native from northeastern Pakistan through Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh to Uttarakhand and Nepal, occurring in the western Himalayas. (Phytoneuron⁠)

In cultivation it is considerably more accommodating than its Himalayan origins might suggest. Give it sun or light partial shade, preferably in a reasonable, fertile soil that drains well. Interestingly, it is tolerant of drier conditions once established and can even perform in dry shade, although flowering will generally be better with some light and moisture. (Hardy’s Cottage Garden Plants⁠)

Height: 60cm
Spread: 30–50cm
Flowers: July–October
Hardiness: H7

A superb plant for the discerning gardener: Himalayan ancestry, handsome foliage, excellent flower colour and — most unusually for an aster — absolutely no requirement that you mollycoddle it.