Aster 'Little Carlow' – Planting & Care Guide

About Aster 'Little Carlow'

Aster 'Little Carlow', now botanically classified as Symphyotrichum 'Little Carlow', is a vigorous, clump-forming perennial that provides a spectacular display of daisy-like lavender-blue flowers with bright golden-yellow centres from late summer well into autumn. Flowering at a time when many other garden plants are fading, it adds valuable late-season colour and is an excellent source of nectar for bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects.

Growing to approximately 90–120cm tall with a spread of 60–90cm, this hardy perennial has an upright, airy habit that blends beautifully into mixed borders, cottage gardens and naturalistic planting schemes. Its long-lasting flowers also make excellent additions to fresh floral arrangements.

Planting Guide

• Plant in full sun for the best flowering display.
• Will tolerate light partial shade, although flowering may be reduced.
• Prefers fertile, well-drained soil.
• Suitable for clay, loam and sandy soils if drainage is good.
• Improve poor soils with compost or well-rotted organic matter before planting.
• Dig a planting hole twice the width of the root ball and the same depth.
• Carefully remove the plant from its pot and gently loosen the roots.
• Position the crown level with the surrounding soil.
• Backfill with soil, firm gently and water thoroughly.
• Apply a 5–8cm layer of mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
• Space plants approximately 60–75cm apart to allow good air circulation.

Care & Maintenance

Aster 'Little Carlow' is an easy-to-grow perennial that provides reliable colour year after year.

• Water regularly during the first growing season.
• Once established, water during prolonged dry spells.
• Feed in early spring with a balanced slow-release fertiliser.
• Refresh mulch each spring to improve soil moisture and fertility.
• Remove weeds regularly from around the base.
• Stake plants in exposed gardens if additional support is needed.
• Deadhead faded flowers to extend the blooming season.
• Divide mature clumps every 3–4 years to maintain vigour and healthy flowering.
• Leave some seed heads in autumn if desired for additional seasonal interest.

Pruning

Minimal pruning is required throughout the year.

• Remove spent flowers to encourage continued blooming.
• Cut stems back to ground level in late autumn or early spring after flowering has finished.
• Remove any weak or damaged growth as required.
• Divide overcrowded clumps every few years to rejuvenate the plant.
• Pinch out the growing tips in late spring if a shorter, bushier plant is desired.

Growing Conditions

• Botanical Name: Symphyotrichum 'Little Carlow' (formerly Aster 'Little Carlow')
• Common Name: Aster 'Little Carlow'
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Mature Height: 90–120cm
• Spread: 60–90cm
• Flower Colour: Lavender-blue with golden-yellow centres
• Flowering Period: August to October
• Foliage: Deep green
• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast
• Hardiness: Fully hardy throughout Ireland and the UK

Ideal Uses in the Garden

Aster 'Little Carlow' is perfect for bringing vibrant late-season colour to the garden.

• Mixed perennial borders
• Cottage gardens
• Pollinator-friendly gardens
• Wildlife gardens
• Prairie-style planting
• Naturalistic landscapes
• Cut flower gardens
• Gravel gardens with improved soil
• Back of borders
• Informal garden designs

It pairs beautifully with Sedum, Rudbeckia, Echinacea, Verbena bonariensis, ornamental grasses, Salvia and Japanese Anemones.

Seasonal Interest

• Fresh green foliage appears in spring.
• Strong upright stems develop throughout early summer.
• Masses of lavender-blue flowers bloom from late summer into autumn.
• Flowers attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial pollinators.
• Seed heads provide texture and interest into autumn if left in place.
• Foliage dies back in winter before fresh new growth emerges in spring.

Common Problems

Aster 'Little Carlow' is generally healthy and reliable.

• Powdery mildew may occur during dry weather with poor air circulation.
• Overcrowded plants benefit from regular division.
• Slugs and snails may feed on young shoots in spring.
• Poor drainage can lead to root problems.
• Ensure good spacing and airflow to maintain healthy foliage.

With its masses of lavender-blue flowers, excellent wildlife value and dependable late-season performance, Aster 'Little Carlow' is an outstanding perennial for gardens throughout Ireland. Easy to grow and low maintenance, it provides weeks of vibrant colour when many other plants have finished flowering, making it an essential addition to borders, cottage gardens and pollinator-friendly planting schemes

Kindly be aware when mix/ mixed/ assorted/ varieties is mention you will receive ONLY ONE plant/ item, which will be selected for delivery, photos may show different varieties available - which may also vary 

 
We currently only deliver within the island of Ireland, other countries can be quoted for by contacting [email protected] or via telephone on 06964084
 

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All standard deliveries will be completed within 5-7 working days via DPD Couriers, any delay to this delivery time, the customer will be notified by One of our staff.

The in-Store delivery charge will vary compared with online, in-store delivery charge is done on a case by case basis. 

* Only mainland Ireland addresses qualify for free delivery.
 

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Our live plants are packed with care and diligence by our staff, our horticulturists review each plant before despatch to ensure quality is maintained.
Live Plant delivery charges are not calculated on weight but on the space required per package to ensure safe delivery, so delivery charges may vary as some plants require more space than others when packed.
All live plants are despatched within 3-5 working days where possible, our couriers aim to deliver within 48 hours of despatch from our Garden Centre to allow the plant to arrive in healthy condition.
 

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