Dwarf aster | Aster dumosus 'Professor Anton Kippenberg'

Aster dumosus 'Professor Anton Kippenberg' is one of the most reliable and beloved dwarf asters in cultivation — and once you see it covered in its semi-double, lavender-blue flowers, it is easy to understand why. Compact, free-flowering, and incredibly tough, it delivers a spectacular burst of cool blue colour in late summer and autumn that is hard to match.

'Professor Anton Kippenberg' produces semi-double flowers in a soft lavender-blue with yellow centres, carried in tremendous abundance across the compact, bushy plant. The colour is particularly appealing alongside warm oranges, deep purples, and rich reds — making it a natural partner for late-season grasses, sedums, and rudbeckias. The plant forms a neat, rounded mound with dark green, slightly rough foliage that makes the blue flowers pop visually. It looks excellent in groups of three or more and is a staple of any well-planned autumn border.

This dwarf aster forms a compact, dome-shaped mound reaching 30 to 40 cm at full height, slightly wider than it is tall. Supplied at 20 cm in a 9 cm pot, it establishes quickly and will put on a good show in its first season. Front of border, container planting, and low ornamental hedging effects are all excellent uses. The habit is naturally neat and requires no staking.

For the best flowering and healthiest growth, plant in a sunny, open position with good airflow. Full sun gives the most blooms and reduces the likelihood of mildew. Tolerates very light partial shade but performs less freely. Avoid shaded, humid spots where foliage can become congested and prone to disease. A south or west-facing border is ideal in the UK.

Water regularly during dry periods, particularly in summer when buds are forming. Pinching growing tips in early summer produces a denser, more floriferous plant. Cut back hard in late autumn or early spring once flowering is completely finished. Splitting established clumps every two to three years helps maintain vigour. A single spring feed with a balanced fertiliser sets them up well for the season ahead.

There is a reason this cultivar has been a garden favourite for decades. When the classic late-summer colour palette of gold and rust needs a cool counterpoint, lavender-blue asters deliver it in spades. A clump of 'Professor Anton Kippenberg' in full flower is one of those gardening moments that feels genuinely rewarding — the kind of late-season display that makes autumn something to look forward to rather than dread.

• Classic Lavender Blue: The semi-double flower colour is one of the most elegant in the late-season garden.
• Reliably Free-Flowering: Produces masses of blooms on a compact, tidy plant.
• Perfect Autumn Partner: Pairs beautifully with grasses, sedums, rudbeckias, and late-season perennials.
• Award-Winning Performer: A tried and tested cultivar with a long track record in UK gardens.
• No Staking Needed: The compact habit holds up on its own without any support.

Once you plant Aster 'Professor Anton Kippenberg', you will wonder how you managed without it. Those lavender-blue flowers from late summer onwards are the kind of thing you look forward to each year. Get it in the ground and let it do what it does best.

• Size at dispatch: 20 cm in height, and comes in a 9 cm pot
• Care level: Medium
• Pet safety: No, toxic to pets