Asparagus officinalis

RHS Plant Profile
common asparagus

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common asparagus RHS

Other common names

asperging herb, edible asparagus, wild asparagus, sparrow grass, merllys

Plants for pollinators
Herbs - Culinary Herbaceous Perennial
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Grown for its delicately-flavoured young shoots, or spears. The airy, feathery foliage growing up to 1.5m tall also makes it an attractive herbaceous perennial

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

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

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–facing
Exposure
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)
H4

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asparagaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Suckering
Potentially harmful
The young shoots (spears) are edible when cooked. Wear gloves for picking spears as they may a cause skin allergy. Fruits are harmful if eaten
Genus
Asparagus can be evergreen or deciduous perennials or subshrubs, sometimes climbing, with tuberous rootstock. Stems bear both inconspicuous scale-like leaves and larger, leaf-like phylloclades, with small white or pinkish flowers followed by red berries
Name Status
Correct

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained soil, or in raised beds on light, sandy soil. Avoid frost pockets as spears are tender. Follow asparagus cultivation for more advice

Propagation

Propagate by crowns. Although propagation by seed is possible, it is not advisable as seedlings take longer, and may not be male cultivars which produce better plants

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Cut down foliage in autumn, when yellowed, to 2.5cm above the soil

Pests

May be susceptible to asparagus beetle, slugs and snails

Diseases

May be susceptible to foot and root rots and violet root rot