About
Symphyotrichum 'Prairie Purple' is a named cultivar in the Symphyotrichum group of the Asteraceae, notable for its late-season flowering from August to October. It belongs to a genus that includes both herbaceous annuals and perennials and was formerly treated within the genus Aster. The genus has many North American natives and several species that have become familiar in European gardens. This cultivar provides the kind of autumn interest associated with Symphyotrichum plants.
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 'Prairie Purple' sits within the genus Symphyotrichum in the composite family Asteraceae; the group contains over 100 species and naturally occurring hybrids and was long included in Aster. Most Symphyotrichum species are native to North America, and several have been introduced into Europe as garden plants, so the genus is well known to UK gardeners. Flowers appear from August to October and form the primary seasonality of this cultivar. As a member of Symphyotrichum, it follows the general habit of herbaceous composites: basal or cauline leaves with flower heads comprising ray and disc florets. Plant it where late-summer to autumn blooms will be visible — margins of herbaceous borders, meadow-style plantings and extended-season displays are appropriate positions. Give plants space to show their flowering period and allow for cutting back of spent stems if a tidier winter outline is preferred. Because many Symphyotrichum taxa were selected for garden use, this cultivar will integrate readily with other late-flowering perennials and grasses to extend colour into the autumn months. The defining feature of Symphyotrichum 'Prairie Purple' is its August–October bloom window, which determines how and where it is best used in the planting scheme.
More in the Symphyotrichum genus
- Symphyotrichum 'Pink Star'
- 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'
- Symphyotrichum 'Bridal Veil'