About
A tall, clump-forming perennial to 1.2m tall, with upright stems bearing sprays of small pale pinkish-lilac flowers with golden-yellow centres on dark, branching stems in late summer and 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, Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pHAcid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil moistureMoist but well-drained
AspectEast-facing, South-facing, West-facing
ExposureExposed, Sheltered
UK hardinessH7
Plant details
Plant typeHerbaceous Perennial
HabitBushy
FoliageDeciduous
Height0.5-1 metres
Spread0.5-1 metres
Time to full height2-5 years
Suggested usesCottage and informal garden, Prairie planting, Coastal, Gravel garden, Wildlife gardens
Care notes
CultivationGrow in well-cultivated, fertile, moist soil in full sun or partial shade
PruningCut stems close to the ground in late autumn
PropagationPropagate by division
Pest resistanceMay be susceptible to tarsonemid mite, slugs, snails, aphids, leaf and bud eelworms
Disease resistanceMay be susceptible to verticillium wilt and grey moulds