About
A perennial producing strong clumps of foliage to 1.2m in height, with long, narrow dark green leaves and large branched heads of small, starry pink flowers prolifically produced along the stems in autumn.
About the genus
Symphyotrichum includes around 90 species of annuals, biennials and perennials, mostly spread through the Americas, that were formerly included within the genus Aster. Leaves are simple, lance-shaped and entire, but it is their daisy-like flowerheads that they are grown for; central disc florets are typically yellow, surrounded by strap-shaped ray florets in shades of pink, blue, purple or white
Growing conditions
SunlightFull sun, Partial shade
Soil typeChalk, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureWell-drained
AspectSouth-facing, West-facing, East-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH4
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitClump forming
FoliageDeciduous
Height1-1.5 metres
Spread0.1-0.5 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Coastal, Gravel garden, Prairie planting, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-cultivated, fertile, moist soil in sun or partial shade; may need staking
PruningCut back after flowering
PropagationPropagate by division in spring
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to slugs, snails, leaf and bud eelworms and aphids
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to wilts, leaf spot and grey moulds