Medicinal aster from China, Mongolia; the root is used to fight infections, is considered to have tonic properties and is used to treat lung ailments, hemorrhages, and dysuria. Antibacterial. Dense masses of 1" blue-purple rayed flowers make this a beautiful specimen plant in a group or alone. Long blooming fall flower - it is visited by hordes of butterflies. Happy in wet clay to dry sand. Easily divided to increase size of groupings. In spite of their height they need no staking like many in the genus.