Symphyotrichum novi-belgii 'Chatterbox'
Michaelmas daisy 'Chatterbox'
'Chatterbox' is a compact, clump-forming perennial, to 40cm tall, with lance-shaped, grey-green leaves. Semi-double, lilac-pink flowers with yellow centres are borne on slender, branched stems in autumn
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Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.1–0.5 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Moist but well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green Grey Silver | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Green Grey Silver | |||
| Autumn | Pink Yellow | Green Grey Silver | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
- Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H6Botanical 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
Thrives in fertile, moist but well drained soil in sun or partial shade. Plants will benefit from mulching in autumn, and division every few years to maintain vigour. Will not tolerate waterlogging in winter. For more advice see aster cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring, replanting only vigorous young shoots
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- Patio and container plants
- Cottage and informal garden
- Low Maintenance
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
Pruning
Cut back in late autumn
Pests
May be susceptible to slugs and snails on new growth, and to aphids, leaf and bud eelworms and tarsonemid mite
Diseases
May be susceptible to Fusarium wilt, powdery mildews, grey moulds and leaf spots
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