About
Symphyotrichum 'Little Carlow' is a cultivated selection within the genus Symphyotrichum (family Asteraceae) notable for its late-season flowering. It blooms from August to October, extending colour in the garden into autumn. The plant sits within a group formerly treated under the genus Aster and shares the group's seasonal interest in late summer and autumn.
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 'Little Carlow' belongs to the genus Symphyotrichum in the family Asteraceae, a group long associated with late-season garden interest. The genus contains many species and garden selections, several of which were formerly classified as Aster; many originate from North America and a number have been grown in Europe for their autumn display. Symphyotrichum 'Little Carlow' follows that pattern, producing its flowering display from August to October. Place this cultivar where its autumn blooms will be visible from paths or seating areas so the late-season display is put to best use. Members of Symphyotrichum typically perform well in mixed perennial borders and can be combined with other late-flowering perennials to extend the season; choose positions that allow air movement around the stems to reduce damp on foliage in autumn. Pruning or cutting back after flowering helps tidy the bed and prepares plants for the following season. Where space is limited, treat Symphyotrichum 'Little Carlow' as a seasonal accent within a larger scheme; where room allows, it contributes to a layered late-summer to autumn sequence of interest. Expect blooms through August to October, making it a reliable source of late-season colour in the border.
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'