Aster amellus
Italian aster
Clump-forming, hairy perennial about 30-60cm tall, upright or arching in habit, with lance-shaped, mid-green leaves, and loose clusters to 15cm across of lilac-blue flowerheads 5cm wide with yellow centres, open from late summer to autumn
Size
Ultimate height
0.1–0.5 metresTime to ultimate height
2–5 yearsUltimate spread
0.5–1 metresGrowing conditions
Moisture
Well–drainedpH
Acid, Alkaline, NeutralColour & scent
| Stem | Flower | Foliage | Fruit | |
| Spring | Green | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summer | Purple Blue Yellow | Green | ||
| Autumn | Purple Blue Yellow | Green | ||
| Winter |
Position
- Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered Hardiness
H7Botanical details
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native to the UK
- No
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Habit
- Clump forming
- 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
Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in an open, sunny position. See aster cultivation
Propagation
Propagate by division in spring or root softwood basal cuttings in spring
Suggested planting locations and garden types
- City and courtyard gardens
- Coastal
- Cottage and informal garden
- Patio and container plants
- Wildflower meadow
- Cut flowers
- Flower borders and beds
- Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning
Deadhead spent flowers to tidy, cut back stem close to the ground in late autumn
Pests
May be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms, slugs and snails
Diseases
Asters may be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Powdery mildews and grey moulds
Get involved
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