Symphyotrichum dumosum

RHS Plant Profile
bushy aster

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Other common names

bushy starwort

Synonyms

Aster dumosus

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

A clump-forming perennial to around 1m high, with small, narrowly lance-shaped to linear green leaves. Airy clusters of small, daisy-like flowers, with white, pink or purple petals and yellow centres that develop to dark red, are borne on slender branching stems in late summer and autumn. (Image shows Symphyotrichum dumosum 'Sapphire')

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

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
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in sun or part shade; add mulch after cutting back in autumn. Plants may need support, see staking perennials. Divide every third year to retain vigour and flower quality. See aster cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by seed or by division in spring, replanting only vigorous young shoots

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Prairie planting
  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut stems close to the ground in late autumn

Pests

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

Diseases

May be susceptible to Fusarium wilt, powdery mildews, leaf spots and grey moulds