The alpine asters are short, clump-forming perennials, with large daisy flowers, usually pink or pale purple with yellow centres. Their stature and liking for well-drained soil make them obvious rock garden species. They include the European species Aster alpinus, and many other species from North America and Asia.

Aster stracheyi is a rare, dwarf, creeping variety with short-stemmed pale lilac flowers and short fleshy leaves. It comes from the western Himalaya.