Symphyotrichum - how to grow and care for

A wonderful and varied group of plants, symphyotrichum were once included in the genus aster. Several years ago, the genus was divided into a number of smaller genera. Aster now includes most European and Asian asters, while those native to North America are classified as symphyotrichum.

This group includes the widely grown Michaelmas daisies, S. novi-belgii (New York asters) and S. novae-angliae (New England asters). In our experience, these tend to have smoother leaves and smaller flowers than many asters.

Flowering late in the season, symphyotrichum bring a wonderful range of colours to the garden, just as much of the summer display begins to fade. Their abundant flowers also provide an invaluable source of pollen and nectar for bees and other pollinators.

Once flowering has finished, leave the stems and seedheads standing through winter. They provide food for birds and shelter for insects, before the old growth is cut back in late winter or early spring to make way for fresh shoots.

Symphyotrichum grow best in full sun or partial shade, in ordinary garden soil that retains some moisture without becoming waterlogged. In the right conditions, they will reward you with masses of flowers from August through to late October, bringing colour, life and valuable food for visiting pollinators well into autumn.

Our range of symphyotrichum includes:

Symphyotrichum ‘Little Carlow’- a clump forming erect perennial with masses of pale purple flowers with bright yellow centres.  Height 90cm with a spread of 30cm.

Symphyotrichum ‘Prairie Sky’- a tall, bushy perennial with mid-green leaves and small pinky-mauve flowerheads which are held on dark purple stems. Height 90cm, spread 30cm.

Symphyotrichum ‘Primrose Path’- plants produce mounds of heart shaped, mid-green leaves which take on a burgundy tint in late autumn. Small, starry, sky-blue flowers with purple centres appear in autumn. Plants can grow in dry shade.  Height 80cm with a spread of 35cm, although plants can reach 1.5m tall with enough moisture.

Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi (Parry’s aster)- a native to Californica and able to grow in drier conditions. Plants produce small pale purple to lilac flowers with yellow centres and narrow, willowy leaves. Height 60cm, spread 40cm.

Symphyotrichum foliaceum var. parryi

Symphyotrichum laeve ‘Orpheus’- a stunning plant which has dark stems and leaves followed by beautiful violet-coloured daisies in late summer/early autumn. A tall variety reaching 1.5m in height and 60cm wide.

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Andenken an Alma Pötschke' (New England aster)- stiff leafy stems carry heads of bright cherry-red flowers with slightly curling petals; an outstanding colour in the autumn garden. Reaches 1.2m in height and 60cm wide.

Symphyotrichum ericoides var. prostratum ‘Snow Flurry’ (Heath aster)- Beth brought this back to the gardens after a lecture tour of the eastern USA. At that point its identity was a mystery, so it was named 'Snow Flurry', as it produces ground-hugging stems, much branched, to form a low sprawling cushion, smothered in autumn with tiny white daisies resembling a snow drift. Height 20cm and spread 60cm.