Aster thomsonii![RHS Plants for pollinators](/assets/styles/images/icons/RHS_Bee_YELLOW-REGISTERED.png)
![RHS Plants for pollinators](/assets/styles/images/icons/RHS_Bee_YELLOW-REGISTERED.png)
Thomson's aster
A clump-forming perennial, to 1m tall, with oval, toothed leaves, up to 10cm long, on hairy stems. Flowerheads, up to 5cm across, comprising lavender-blue rays and a central yellow disk, are held on slender branches from late summer into autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Well–drainedpH
Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
Spring | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Summer | Blue Purple | Green | ||
Autumn | Blue Purple | Green | ||
Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy
- Genus
Aster can be perennials, annuals or subshrubs, mostly with narrow leaves, and solitary or clustered, daisy-like flowers
- Name status
Correct
How to grow
Cultivation
Grows best in full sun in a well-drained, alkaline soil with moisture in the spring and summer
Propagation
Propagate by division
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Wildlife gardens
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back in late autumn
Pests
May be susceptible to Tarsonemid mite
Diseases
May be affected by Verticillium wilt and grey moulds
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