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Herbaceous Perennial

Symphyotrichum 'Wood's Purple'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

aster 'Wood's Purple'

A compact, bushy, clump-forming, herbaceous perennial to 30cm, producing a neat mound of narrow, lance-shaped, mid-green foliage covered in masses of light pink-purple daisies in early to mid-autumn

Synonyms
Aster 'Wood's Purple'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 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 Green
Summer Green
Autumn Purple Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
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

Unresolved

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 three to five years 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
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Patio and container plants
  • Coastal
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Cut stems close to the ground in late autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, leaf and bud eelworm, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to Fusarium wilt, grey moulds and leaf spot. Generally resistant to powdery mildews

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