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Herbaceous Perennial

Symphyotrichum 'Faith's Fancy'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

A clump-forming perennial, around 1-1.2m tall, with dark green, foliage. Generous sprays of lavender-blue, yellow-centred, daisy-like flowers, in October lasting until the first frosts

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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, Well–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Green
Autumn Yellow Blue Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, Clump forming, Spreading branched
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Stake tall plants in early spring, see staking: perennials. See aster cultivation for further advice

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring

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

Cut down flowered stems to ground level once flowering has finished or leave the seedheads and stems in place for wildlife and winter interest

Pests

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

Diseases

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

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