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Herbaceous Perennial

Symphyotrichum cordifolium 'Sweet Lavender'
  • RHS AGM
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

blue wood aster 'Sweet Lavender'

A clump-forming perennial to 1.2m tall, with dark green leaves. Open, arching sprays of small, lavender-blue flowers 2cm wide, on lax stems appear from late summer through until the autumn

Synonyms
Aster cordifolius 'Sweet Lavender'

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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 Green
Summer Blue Purple Green
Autumn Blue 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 GB / Ireland
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 moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Stake plants in early spring. See staking perennials. and aster cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or root softwood basal cuttings in spring; division can be done every third year to maintain vigour

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

Cut stems close to the ground in late autumn

Diseases

May be susceptible to verticillium wilt, powdery mildews and grey moulds

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