Symphyotrichum ericoides

RHS Plant Profile

heath aster

Other common names

dog fennel, frost blow, frost weed, many-flowered starwort, mare's tail, scrub brush, steel weed, white rosemary

Synonyms

Aster multiflorus
Aster ericoides

Herbaceous Perennial

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A bushy, clump-forming perennial to 1m with slender, branching stems and small, lance-shaped, mid-green leaves. Produces large, lax, conical sprays of small, white, daisy flowers with yellow centres from late summer to late autumn

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Loam, Sand

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Chalk Loam Sand

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

Position

Full sun

Aspect: 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): 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, well-drained soil in an open, sunny position; may need staking. See aster cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Cut back to ground level in late autumn

Pests

May be susceptible to leaf and bud eelworms, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt, Powdery mildews and grey moulds