Overview
Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones' is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Symphyotrichum, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones' grows best in full sun and partial shade, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include coastal, cottage and informal garden, gravel garden, prairie planting, wildlife gardens, cut flowers and flower borders and beds. It is native to Western Australia, Moldova and Ukraine.
About
Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae that flowers from August to October. It bears deciduous foliage and performs in full sun or partial shade on east, south or west aspects. Tolerant of chalk, clay, loam and sand, it favours moist but well-drained or well-drained soils and suits exposed or sheltered sites. It is fully hardy in the UK (H7) and is used for borders, prairie and gravel plantings as well as cut flowers.
About the genus
Symphyotrichum is a genus of over 100 species and naturally occurring hybrids of herbaceous annual and perennial plants in the composite family, Asteraceae, most which were formerly treated within the genus Aster. The majority are endemic to North America, but several also occur in the West Indies, Central and South America, as well as one species in eastern Eurasia. Several species have been introduced to Europe as garden specimens, most notably New England aster and New York aster.
Wikipedia contributors, "Symphyotrichum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Symphyotrichum
In the garden
Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones' belongs to the Asteraceae and forms a clump of deciduous, herbaceous shoots that produce late-summer to autumn flowers (August to October). The cultivar’s native connections include Western Australia, Moldova and Ukraine, and it sits within a genus long-grown for late-season colour. Plant into a sunny or part-shaded spot on an east-, south- or west-facing aspect. It tolerates a wide range of soils — chalk, clay, loam or sand — provided the site is moist but well-drained or at least well-drained; it will handle exposed coastal conditions as well as more sheltered garden positions. Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones' is fully hardy in UK gardens (H7), so no winter protection is normally required in British climates. Use this cultivar in flower borders and beds, prairie-style mixes, gravel gardens and wildlife areas; stems are suitable for cutting. Position it where late-season blooms extend border interest into autumn, and cut flower stems when individual heads are well opened for best vase life.
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Symphyotrichum
- Sunlight
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones' size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, Cottage and informal garden, Gravel garden, Prairie planting, Wildlife gardens, Cut flowers, Flower borders and beds
- Native to
- Western Australia, Moldova, Ukraine
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones'
- Propagation
- Division in spring, Root softwood basal cuttings in spring
- Pest resistance
- Leaf and bud eelworms, Slugs, Snails
- Disease resistance
- Verticillium wilt, Powdery mildews, Grey moulds
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones'?
Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones' need?
Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones' is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
Is Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones' hardy in the UK?
Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.
How do I propagate Symphyotrichum 'Jessica Jones'?
Division in spring, Root softwood basal cuttings in spring.
More in the Symphyotrichum genus
- Symphyotrichum 'Pink Star'
- Symphyotrichum 'Prairie Purple'
- Symphyotrichum laeve 'Arcturus'aster 'Arcturus'
- Symphyotrichum lat. 'Lady in Black'
- Symphyotrichum n - a 'Barr's Purple'
- Symphyotrichum n. - a. ' Herbschnee'
- Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Dasgra'New York Aster
- Symphyotrichum 'Bee Lee Elliott'