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Herbaceous Perennial

Aster amellus 'Sonia'
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

Italian aster 'Sonia'

A compact, upright, bushy herbaceous perennial with lance-shaped, dark grey-green leaves and loose clusters of rose-pink flower heads with yellow centres from late summer into autumn

Synonyms
Aster 'Sonia'
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Yellow Green
Autumn Pink Yellow Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump forming, Columnar upright
Genus

Aster can be perennials, annuals or subshrubs, mostly with narrow leaves, and solitary or clustered, daisy-like flowers

Name status

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in well-drained, moderately fertile soil in an open, sunny position. Mildew free, but like all Aster amellus needs good winter drainage. See aster cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division or root softwood basal cuttings in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Underplanting of roses and shrubs
Pruning

Deadhead spent flowers to tidy, cut back stem close to the ground in late autumn or beginning of spring before the new shoots emerge

Pests

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

Diseases

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

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