Overview
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Dasgra' is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Symphyotrichum, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Dasgra' 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 and wildlife gardens. It is native to Newfoundland, South Carolina, District of Columbia, North Carolina, New York, Prince Edward I., West Virginia and Maine.
About
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Dasgra' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae that flowers from August to October. It has deciduous foliage and suits full sun or partial shade positions. Plant it in chalk, clay, loam or sand that is moist but well-drained. The cultivar is rated H7, fully hardy for UK gardens.
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
A member of the genus Symphyotrichum in the family Asteraceae, Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Dasgra' originates from eastern North America, with native range records from Newfoundland, Maine, New York, North Carolina, South Carolina, the District of Columbia, West Virginia and Prince Edward I. It is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial that becomes deciduous as the season progresses and provides late-summer interest with a defined flowering window from August to October. Give it a sunny to part-shaded situation on east-, south- or west-facing sites; the plant tolerates both exposed and sheltered exposures. It will grow on a wide range of soils—chalk, clay, loam or sand—so long as the ground is moist but well-drained rather than waterlogged. Its H7 hardiness rating means it is fully hardy across the UK without the need for winter protection in typical garden sites. Use Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Dasgra' where a reliable late-summer to autumn presence is required: coastal plots, cottage and informal borders, gravel gardens, prairie schemes and wildlife-minded plantings are all appropriate. Position clumps where their August–October flowering span can be appreciated from paths or seating areas, so the seasonality of the plant contributes to the overall border sequence.
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 novi-belgii 'Dasgra' 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
- Native to
- Newfoundland, South Carolina, District of Columbia, North Carolina, New York, Prince Edward I., West Virginia, Maine
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Dasgra'
- Propagation
- Propagate by division in spring or root softwood basal cuttings in spring; division can be carried out every third year to maintain vigour
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms, slugs and snails
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, powdery mildews and grey moulds
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Dasgra'?
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Dasgra' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Dasgra' need?
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Dasgra' 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 novi-belgii 'Dasgra' hardy in the UK?
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Dasgra' 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 novi-belgii 'Dasgra'?
Propagate by division in spring or root softwood basal cuttings in spring; division can be carried out every third year to maintain vigour.
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 'Bee Lee Elliott'
- Symphyotrichum 'Bridal Veil'