91µ¼º½

Symphyotrichum oblongifolium

RHS Plant Profile
aromatic aster

Save a plant

Where do you want to save Symphyotrichum oblongifolium?

Plants I own
Wishlist
Go to My Plants

Other common names

oblong-leaved aster

Synonyms

Aster oblongifolius

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial
Buy this from Plant Nurseries
2 Suppliers

A lax-growing herbaceous perennial with woody, weak growth making clumps of foliage up to 1m in height, with narrow, oblong leaves, aromatic when crushed. From September to October, the plant is covered with sprays of pale purple daisy-like flowers; resists mildew well

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Sand, Loam, Chalk

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

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

Growing Conditions

Sand Loam Chalk
Moisture
°Â±ð±ô±ô–d°ù²¹¾±²Ô±ð»å
pH
Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
West–facing or South–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

Fragrance Foliage
Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy, 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
Correct
Plant Range
E to NC US

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grows best in neutral to alkaline soil in full sun. Does not do well in heavy wet soils during winter, but does tolerate drought once established

Propagation

Propagate by division in early spring, or by softwood cuttings

Suggested planting locations and garden types

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

Pruning

Cut down to ground level at the end of the year

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to Verticillium wilt