About
Asparagus officinalis 'Stewart's Purple' is a perennial that grows in clumps and produces flavorful, dark purple spears, which can be harvested from mid-spring through early summer. After the harvest period, the plant develops tall, branching stems adorned with light green, feathery foliage, reaching dimensions of approximately 1.5 meters in both height and width. The plant may also produce small, subtle green and white flowers, potentially followed by a few red berries.
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
- Bushy, Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 1-1.5 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 a raised bed, in a sunny position. See Grow your own asparagus
- Pruning
- Cut foliage down to ground level once it yellows in autumn
- 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