Aster alpinus

‘Goliath’

GOLIATH ALPINE ASTER

Aster alpinus ‘Goliath’
GOLIATH ALPINE ASTER

A profusion of fully double violet-blue daisies, sit proudly above a dense green carpet of foliage on Aster alpinus ‘Goliath’.

Flower size counts

‘Goliath’ is so named because it has quite the biggest blooms amongst the dainty Alpine Aster family.

With profuse blooming

And it absolutely covers itself in a cloak of these big flowers, over spring and into summer.

Fully double, big blooms of violet blue 

Plus these double beauties, packed with slender petals, have cheerful yellow button centres.
Thus creating a dainty and joyful plant to be enjoyed year after year.
(Scroll down to “Growing” section for plant & growing details).

A gentle groundcover

‘Goliath’ is very neat, compact and low growing, and only gently spreading.
So it makes a perfect groundcover for small gardens.
And if you need a greater spread, then you can plant multiple plants to make a dense, wider carpet to the size you want.

Pretty edger or delightful in a pot

Therefore Alpine Asters make a delightful front edge to a garden bed, groundcover under taller plants, as well as delightful decorative pots.

Cute cut flowers for posies

And they are cute little cut flowers for small posies and vases.

Easy to grow & low maintenance

Alpine Asters are firm favourites for low maintenance gardeners, because they thrive in rocky soil, shallow and poor soils, or gravel gardens. And these conditions mimic their native habitats.
But sadly they do not enjoy humid climates, and instead love an open, airy spot.
So plant Aster alpinus ‘Dark Beauty’ in Full Sun to Part Shade, where it is open to the breezes.

Tough & easy little groundcover

Aster alpinus ‘Goliath’ is very frost hardy, in temperatures to well below -10°C.

Can withstand periods of dry if needed

Together with being able to withstand periods of dry and harsh light, because it is naturally a plant of rocky slopes.

Water-wise

And ‘Goliath’ is not a particularly thirsty plant, though of course it will do better with regular water if water is available.

Plant under roses

Maintenance work is very low, with really nothing to do aside from an occasional water.
If you can grow roses, you can also grow Alpine Asters, and they make such lovely companion groundcovers under the roses.

Tolerates a wide range of soils

Aster alpinus ‘Goliath’ is well adapted to poorer, rocky or sandy soils and gravel gardens.
And is also able to tolerate soil pH on both the acid or the alkaline lime side of neutral.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Suitable for beginners & gardening with kids

Seeds of Aster alpinus ‘Goliath’ can be sown directly into the garden in autumn or early spring.
OR
Sow the seeds indoors at any time when suitable temperatures can be given (20-21°C).
You can use a heat mat for warmth.

Sow indoors for optimum germination & quick or early plants: First sow the seeds in a punnet on the surface of good quality seed raising mix.
And gently pat the surface to ensure the seeds have good contact with the mix.
Then just barely cover the seeds with sieved mix / vermiculate / or fine grit, but do not bury.
Because these seeds need light to germinate.

Now thoroughly moisten the sown punnet by standing it in a shallow water bath and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Then place the punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in any direct sunlight).
Temperatures of 20-21°C are idea for rapid and optimum germination.
You can use a heat mat to maintain temperatures, but it is not essential, because these seeds are easy to germinate.

Continue to keep the punnet moist by misting from a spray water-bottle.
And covering the punnet with a clear plastic lid, or a plastic bag will also help to maintain consistent moisture and prevent drying out.

Seedlings emerge in approx. 10-12 days.

Gently prick the seedlings out into pots quickly, as soon as they develop their first set of true leaves, and grow on ready to plant out into the garden.
Aster alpinus ‘Goliath’ quickly develops into mature plants.

Seed Count: 30 seeds per pack approx.
(We always aim to exceed the stated seed count, and give a generous serve).

GROWING: Aster alpinus ‘Goliath’

– Height with flowers: Flowers are on 20-30cm stems, while the foliage is flat to the ground.
– Width: 30cm. approx. spread.
– Position: Full Sun, though will appreciate Part Shade in very hot areas.
– Soil: Well adapted to poorer, rocky or sandy soils and gravel gardens.
– Water-wise: Aster alpinus is not a thirsty plant. Normal average garden watering is ample.

– Fragrance: None.
– Frost: Very frost hardy, even in severe frost areas to below -10C.
– Growth: Very low, slowly spreading, perennial groundcover but never invasive.

– Beneficial to wildlife: Attractive to bees, butterflies as well as other beneficial pollinators.
– Care: Very easy, hardy, low maintenance plants only needing a tidy up after flowering.
– Deer & Rabbit resistant: Although they are not totally immune, Alpine Asters are not high on the menu for rabbits and deer.
– Origin: Most Asters are native to Europe, with some outriders of the family North America and even Asia.

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