Overview
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Davey's True Blue' is a clump forming herbaceous perennial in the genus Symphyotrichum, part of the Asteraceae family, with deciduous foliage. Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Davey's True Blue' 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. and West Virginia.
About
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Davey's True Blue' is a clump-forming herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae family. This deciduous plant thrives in full sun or partial shade and is suitable for east, south, or west-facing aspects, tolerating both exposed and sheltered conditions. It grows well in a variety of soils including chalk, clay, loam, and sand, with a preference for moist but well-drained to well-drained soil of acid, alkaline, or neutral pH. Hardy to UK zone H7, it is ideal for coastal, cottage, gravel, prairie, and wildlife gardens, offering interest through summer and autumn. Propagation is by division or root softwood basal cuttings in spring, with division recommended every three years to maintain vigour.
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
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 'Davey's True Blue' 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
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Davey's True Blue'
- 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 'Davey's True Blue'?
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Davey's True Blue' prefers full sun and partial shade. It suits exposed and sheltered positions.
What soil does Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Davey's True Blue' need?
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Davey's True Blue' 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 'Davey's True Blue' hardy in the UK?
Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Davey's True Blue' 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 'Davey's True Blue'?
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 novi-belgii 'Dasgra'New York Aster
- Symphyotrichum 'Bee Lee Elliott'