Perennial of the Month-- September 2011 

(ASS-ter er-ic-OY-dees pros-TRAA-tuss ) (pronunciation at link, turn up volume if too low)

Common name: Snow Flurry Heath Aster

Family:  Asteraceae, Aster

Height x width:  6in. x 18-24in.

Growth rate, habit: moderate,  spreading (slowly)

Foliage: 1in. long, basal leaves longer, narrow to 1/4in. wide, linear, rigid

Flowers: white, gold centers, to 1/2in. wide,  blanket plants in Sept. north to Oct. south 

Hardiness: USDA zones (3)4-9

Soil: well-drained, tolerates some drought once established, also tolerates poor soils (rocky, infertile)

Light: full sun best, tolerates part shade

Pests and problems: none significant, good powdery mildew resistance

Landscape habit, uses: containers, groundcover in sun, rock gardens, raised beds or walls, fronts of borders, cottage gardens, along walks, edges of woodland gardens, naturalistic gardens, butterfly gardens; good planted under taller plants such as Butterfly bush, New England Asters, Lavender, around or in front of Chrysanthemums, purple-leaved ornamental kale

Other interest: overall resembles a heath, hence its name; often now listed in genus Symphyotrichum (but not by the RHS as of 2011); attractive to butterflies late in season; species is taller to 3ft and rather loose and open in habit, seen naturalized along roads and railways; tolerates some urban pollution; dense growth tends to inhibit weed growth; deer resistant; species native to eastern U.S.; winner of RHS (UK) Award of Merit; origin unknown; another similar but taller cultivar is 'First Snow'

Other culture: low maintenance, trim last year's stems if needed or dead back to the new green shoots near base/crown in spring; lives to at least 10 years

Propagation: stem cuttings in early summer

Sources:  many online and local specialty nurseries