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Herbaceous Perennial

Symphyotrichum laeve 'Orpheus'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

aster 'Orpheus'

A clump-forming perennial, to 1.5m tall, with broadly lance-shaped, green leaves. Branching spays of lavender-blue flowerheads, with yellow centres, are borne on dark stems from late summer into autumn

Synonyms
Aster 'Orpheus'
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Size
Ultimate height
1–1.5 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring
Summer Blue Purple Green
Autumn Blue Purple Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

South–facing or West–facing or East–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
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

Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-cultivated, fertile, moist but well-drained soil in sun or partial shade; may need staking - see staking perennials

Propagation

Propagate by division in early spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Coastal
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Gravel garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Cut flowers
Pruning

Cut back in late autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to tarsonemid mite

Diseases

May be susceptible to by Verticillium wilt and grey moulds

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