Symphyotrichum lateriflorum 'Prince'
calico aster 'Prince'
A clump-forming, deciduous herbaceous perennial with dark purple-black foliage and sturdy stems producing masses of small, daisy-like pale lilac flowers with red centres,appearing from August to October
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Purple Black | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Red | Green Purple Black | ||
| Autumn | Purple Red | Green Purple Black | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to GB / Ireland
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Bushy, Clump forming
- 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
- Name status
Accepted
How to grow
Cultivation
Grow in fertile, moisture-retentive soil, in full sun or partial shade; mulch every year after cutting down in late autumn. Divide every third year to retain vigour and flower quality
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring, replanting only vigorous young shoots
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Cottage and informal garden
- Prairie planting
- Wildlife gardens
- Coastal
- Gravel garden
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut stems close to the ground in late autumn
Pests
May be susceptible to aphids, leaf and bud eelworms, slugs, snails and tarsonemid mite
Diseases
May be susceptible to Fusarium wilt, grey moulds, leaf spot and powdery mildews
Get involved
The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.