About

Aster 'Dwarf Barbados' is a compact perennial that develops a mound shape and grows from rhizomes. It features lance-shaped, mid-green leaves and produces branching stems adorned with clusters of numerous violet-blue flowers, each with reddish-yellow centers, blooming from August through October. This naturally dwarf cultivar exhibits strong resistance to mildew.

About the genus

Aster includes perennials, annuals, and subshrubs, typically characterized by slender leaves and flowers that resemble daisies, either appearing alone or in clusters.

Growing conditions

Sunlight
Full shade, Partial shade
Soil type
Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
North-facing, South-facing, East-facing, West-facing
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Plant type
Herbaceous Perennial
Habit
Bushy, Clump forming, Columnar upright
Foliage
Deciduous
Height
0.5-1 metres
Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height
2-5 years
Suggested uses
Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, Wildlife gardens

Care notes

Cultivation
Sow at the front of a sunny border or in a container in moisture retentive, but well drained soil in full sun. May need support.
Pruning
Cut back in late autumn. Divide in spring every three years to maintain vigour.
Propagation
Propagate by division
Pest resistance
May be susceptible to aphids leaf and bud eelworms, michaelmas daisy mite, slugs, snails and tarsonemid mites
Disease resistance
May be susceptible to fusarium wilt, grey moulds, leaf spot and powdery mildew