Aspen fleabane

Aspen fleabane: how do you recognise it?

Habit

Compact clump of upright, leafy stems 45–60 cm tall and about 45 cm wide.

Leaves

Lance-shaped to narrowly oval, green; the lower leaves are the largest.

Flower

Flower heads 3–5 cm across with a great many narrow rays around a yellow centre, in loose clusters at the stem tips.

Colour

Lilac to purple-blue in the species; garden cultivars also in pink, violet and white.

Roots

Fibrous; the clump spreads slowly without becoming invasive.

Flowering: June–August · Sowing: March–April · Plants: March–April and September–October · Pruning: March and July

Why grow it?

• A long flowering season from June to August, with a second flush if you cut it back after the first.
• Bees and butterflies easily find nectar and pollen in the open yellow centre.
• A strong cut flower that lasts well in the vase.
• Cheerful, soft colours that suit a cottage or naturalistic border.
• Easy and hardy, even on light, fairly dry soil.

Aspen fleabane: where does it grow best?

• Full sun for the best flowering; light shade is possible, but the stems become floppier.
• Free-draining sandy or loamy soil; acid, neutral or chalky is fine.
• Moist to fairly dry; avoid wet feet in winter.
• An open, airy spot helps prevent powdery mildew.
• Plant 35–45 cm apart, about 5–7 plants per m².

Light

Sun

Soil type

Sand or loam

Acidity

Not fussy

Moisture

Dry or normal

Size

0.6 m tall, 0.45 m wide

Hardiness

Hardy (to -35 °C)

Goes well with

• Cranesbill: A low, flowering ground cover at the base.
• Catmint: A blue haze that goes well with lilac and pink.
• Yarrow: Flat heads as a contrast with the round flowers.
• Roses: A classic border partner flowering at the same time.
• Lady’s mantle: Fresh green leaves and greenish-yellow flowers at the front of the border.

Aspen fleabane: when and how to plant it?

Plant in March–April and September–October.

1. Plant in March–April or in September–October.
2. Dig a hole twice as wide as the pot and mix in some compost; in heavy soil add some gravel too.
3. Set the plant at the same depth as in the pot and firm the soil well.
4. Leave 35–45 cm between plants.
5. Water well straight away and during dry spells in the first weeks.
6. Mulch lightly with compost, keeping the base of the stems clear.

Care

Watering

During longer dry spells, especially while in flower and in the first year.

Feeding

A thin layer of compost in spring. Too much fertiliser gives floppy stems.

Support

Taller cultivars benefit from a plant support or twiggy sticks, put in place as early as April.

Deadheading

Removing spent flowers regularly prolongs flowering.

Division

Dividing every 3–4 years keeps the clump young and free-flowering.

Tip: Cut it back to the fresh leaves at the base in July, after the first flowering, and give it some water and compost: it will flower again in August. Support taller cultivars as early as April.

Aspen fleabane: when to prune it?

Pruning months: March and July.

When: After the first flowering, usually in July, cut it back hard for a second flush. In March, cut away the dead stems.

How:

• In July, cut the spent stems back to a hand’s width above the ground or to the fresh leaves.
• Then water and add a little compost: within a few weeks a second, slightly smaller flush follows.
• Leave the last stems standing in autumn and cut them back to the new shoots in March.

Pruning: when and how · Pruning calendar and basic rules

Propagation

Division

In March–April or in September: lift the clump and split it into pieces, each with a few shoots and roots.

Seed

In March–April indoors in a light spot; barely cover the fine seed. Garden cultivars do not always come true from seed.

Cuttings

In April–May: root young shoots from the base in sandy cutting compost.

Aspen fleabane: how does it get through the winter?

Hardy to −35 °C.

• Very hardy, to about −35 °C: no protection is needed in Belgium.
• Wet, heavy soil in winter can make the clump rot; ensure good drainage.
• In a pot: leave it outside, but on pot feet so water can drain away.

Diseases and pests

• Powdery mildew: White powder on the leaves, especially in dry summers. Cut back after the first flush, water in dry spells and leave space around the plant.
• Flopping stems: Tall cultivars fall over after rain. Put supports in place in good time and do not overfeed.
• Slugs: Young shoots are eaten in spring. Check in the evening and pick off the slugs.
• Aphids: On the stem tips and buds. Hose them off; ladybirds help too.

Through the year

• March: Cut away dead stems. Plant, divide or sow indoors.
• April: Support taller cultivars. Take cuttings. Plant.
• May: Plant out seed-raised plants. Watch out for slugs.
• June: Flowering starts. Cut flowers for the vase.
• July: Cut back after the first flush. Water and add compost.
• August: Second flush. Water in dry weather.
• September: Plant or divide.
• October: Plant. Leave the stems until March.

Good for wildlife

Bees

Nectar and pollen for honeybees and wild bees.

Butterflies

Nectar for butterflies.

Did you know?

• The name Erigeron comes from the Greek eri (early) and geron (old man), probably after the grey, fluffy seeds that appear soon after flowering.
• A fleabane has many more, and narrower, rays than an aster, often in several rows: that is how you tell them apart.
• The English name fleabane goes back to the old belief that dried plants drove away fleas.