Symphyotrichum pilosum var. pringlei

RHS Plant Profile

white heath aster

Synonyms

Aster pringlei
Aster pilosus var. demotus
Aster tradescantii misapplied
Aster pilosus var. pringlei
Aster demotus subsp. pilosus

Herbaceous Perennial

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An upright herbaceous perennial to 1.2m with small slender leaves and much branched, airy sprays of small, yellow-centred white flowers produced in mid autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity: 2–5 years
Max Spread: 0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height: 1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand

Moisture: Moist but well–drained
pH: Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade

Aspect: South–facing or North–facing or West–facing or East–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): H7

Colour & Scent

Season	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family: Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland: 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: Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, fertile soil in sun or partial shade; may need staking

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring; division every third year to maintain vigour

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Wildlife gardens
Cottage and informal garden
Gravel garden
Prairie planting
Flower borders and beds
Cut flowers

Pruning

Cut back in late autumn

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

Asters may suffer Verticillium wilt, powdery mildews and grey moulds