About
Asparagus officinalis 'Connover's Colossal' is a robust perennial known for its harvestable, vibrant green shoots that feature purple-tinged tips, emerging from spring through early summer. After the harvesting period concludes, the plants produce tall stems adorned with delicate, feathery leaves.
About the genus
Asparagus consists of evergreen or deciduous perennials and subshrubs, occasionally exhibiting climbing habits, characterized by tuberous root systems. The stems feature small, scale-like leaves as well as larger, leaf-like phylloclades. These plants produce small white or pink flowers, which are succeeded by red berries.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright, Spreading branched
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Wildlife gardens
- Toxicity
- The young shoots (spears) are edible when cooked. Wear gloves for picking spears as they may a cause skin allergy. Fruits are harmful if eaten
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in well-drained soil or raised beds. Avoid frost pockets as spears are tender. See Grow Your Own Asparagus guide
- Pruning
- Cut down foliage in autumn, when yellowed, to soil level
- Propagation
- Propagate by crowns. Although propagation by seed is possible, it is not advisable as seedlings take longer, and may not be male cultivars which produce better plants
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to asparagus beetle, slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to foot and root rots and violet root rot