Source: Michaelmas daisy ‘Coombe Fishacre’ (Aster ‘Coombe Fishacre’) short overview
Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' is an elegant, clump-forming perennial valued for its long display of small, daisy-like blooms from late summer into fall. The flowers open pink-flushed white around brownish-yellow centers above neat, dark green lance-shaped foliage. Plant it in full sun or light shade with soil that stays evenly moist but drains freely. Its airy, floriferous habit suits informal borders, wildlife gardens, prairie-style plantings, and cut-flower arrangements.
Taxonomic classification
Michaelmas daisy ‘Coombe Fishacre’ (Aster ‘Coombe Fishacre’) care guide
Light and placement
Give the plant full sun for the strongest flowering, or light afternoon shade in hot climates. East-, south-, or west-facing positions are suitable, provided stems receive good air movement. Too little light can produce weak, floppy growth and fewer flowers; intense reflected heat combined with dry soil may scorch foliage.
Watering and humidity
Water deeply when the upper inch of soil begins to dry during the first growing season. Once established, keep moisture reasonably even, especially while buds are forming and during hot weather, but do not leave the crown saturated. Water at the base when possible to reduce foliar disease; mature plants may tolerate brief dry periods.
Soil and growing medium
Use moderately fertile soil that retains moisture without becoming waterlogged. Loam is ideal, but clay or sandy soil can work if amended with organic matter and improved drainage. The cultivar tolerates acidic, neutral, or alkaline conditions; avoid compacted ground that keeps winter moisture around the crown.
Feeding
Top-dress with compost or apply a balanced, slow-release perennial fertilizer in spring as growth begins. Use modest amounts; excessive nitrogen can encourage weak, leafy growth and reduce air circulation. Do not feed heavily in late summer or after the plant has begun preparing for dormancy.
Growth and habit
This perennial forms a spreading clump of upright, branched stems and can become somewhat billowy in flower. Early-summer pinching may encourage a shorter, bushier outline; staking is useful where wind or fertile soil causes stems to lean. Dividing periodically helps maintain vigor and airflow.
Planting and repotting
Plant in spring or early fall while temperatures are moderate. Set the crown at the same depth as in its nursery container and water regularly during establishment. Allow enough room for the clump to broaden, with approximately 18–24 inches between plants for a full border display.
Repot container-grown plants in spring when roots fill the pot, moving them into a slightly larger container with a dependable drainage hole. Refresh part of the growing medium rather than excessively disturbing the crown, and water thoroughly after transplanting.
Propagation and pruning
Propagation
Divide established clumps in spring, ideally about every three years to maintain vigor. Lift and separate vigorous rooted sections, replant promptly, and keep them evenly watered during establishment. Seed propagation is reported in horticultural sources but may not reproduce the named cultivar faithfully.
Pruning
Cut stems back to the base in late fall after flowering has finished, or leave them through winter for structure and seed-eating wildlife before cutting back in late winter. Remove spent flower clusters if self-sowing or a tidier appearance is desired.
Overwintering
Leave the dormant crown outdoors in the ground in suitable cold-winter regions. After frost has blackened the stems, cut back in late fall or wait until late winter. A light mulch of compost or shredded leaves can protect newly planted divisions, but avoid burying the crown under wet, heavy mulch.
Uses
Use in mixed borders, cottage gardens, wildlife plantings, prairie-style beds, coastal gardens, gravel gardens, containers, and cut-flower arrangements. Its late bloom period is especially useful for extending seasonal color. It is ornamental rather than a documented culinary or medicinal plant.
Appearance
The plant has slender, branched stems clothed in neat, lance-shaped dark green leaves. In bloom, the stems carry airy sprays of small flowerheads with pale rays flushed pink and contrasting dusky brownish-yellow centers. The overall effect is floriferous and billowing rather than sharply columnar.
Flowering
Small daisy-like flowerheads are carried in branched sprays from midsummer or late summer into mid-fall, with the strongest display generally in the late-season garden. Individual heads are about 0.6 inch across. Flowers may need support if stems become tall or heavily laden.
Pollination and visitors
The open daisy-like flowerheads provide accessible nectar and pollen and are documented or characteristically associated with bees, bumblebees, butterflies, moths, and hoverflies. Late-season flowering makes the cultivar useful where pollinator resources are becoming less abundant.
Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' photos
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Diseases and pests
Diseases
Provide good air circulation, avoid persistent overhead wetting, and divide congested clumps periodically. Watch for powdery mildew, gray mold, and Verticillium wilt. Remove badly affected foliage, improve spacing, and avoid moving soil from infected plants to healthy areas.
Pests
Inspect young growth and foliage for slugs, snails, and leaf or bud eelworms. Use hand removal, barriers, sanitation, and habitat-based controls first. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which can produce lush foliage more prone to disease. Remove heavily damaged leaves and maintain open spacing.
Related diseases and pests
Only Plant Doctor profiles whose host data indicate this plant may be affected are shown here.
Toxicity and pollen
No cultivar-specific human toxicity assessment was located. Related asters are generally grown as ornamental plants, but ingestion of any unfamiliar plant material can cause stomach upset, and skin-sensitive people may react to sap or plant contact. Keep plant material away from children and pets that chew garden plants.
- Typical season
- Late summer through fall in the United States
- Pollination / pollen
- Insect-dispersed pollen
The cultivar produces pollen from insect-pollinated flowerheads, but cultivar-specific airborne-allergen studies were not located. Pollen exposure is therefore best treated as a low but nonzero possibility, especially during the flowering season and for people sensitive to Asteraceae.
Native habitat
The named cultivar is cultivated rather than a naturally occurring wild population. Its reported horticultural parentage and classification are not fully consistent across sources. The associated New York aster complex is linked with moist, open habitats and adaptable soils in eastern North America, while this cultivar is maintained in garden conditions.
Interesting fact
The cultivar received the RHS Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
It has been listed under both Aster and Symphyotrichum names.
Its small flowerheads are produced in notably floriferous sprays.
The cultivar was raised by Mr. Archer Hind.
It is valued for late-season color when many perennials fade.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
The most relevant questions about this plant, with short and direct answers.
🌱Quick care
What is Aster 'Coombe Fishacre'?⌄
Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' is a clump-forming, herbaceous perennial commonly known as Michaelmas daisy 'Coombe Fishacre'. It produces fine dark-green foliage and abundant small, daisy-like blooms in pink, lilac, or blush-white shades during late summer and fall.
How big does Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' get?⌄
Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' typically grows about 2½ to 3 feet tall and up to 2 feet wide. Its upright, branching habit makes it useful in the middle or back of perennial borders.
Is Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' perennial?⌄
Yes, Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' is a long-lived herbaceous perennial. Its foliage dies back after the growing season and returns from the crown in spring.
🌤️Environment and placement
Does Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' need full sun?⌄
Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' grows best in full sun but also tolerates partial shade. More sunlight generally produces stronger stems and heavier flowering, provided the soil does not dry out.
Can Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' grow in partial shade?⌄
Yes, Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' can grow in partial shade, especially where summers are hot or afternoon conditions are harsh. Expect fewer flowers and potentially looser growth than plants grown in full sun.
What soil is best for Aster 'Coombe Fishacre'?⌄
The best soil for Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' is moist but well-drained loam enriched with organic matter. It can also tolerate clay or sandy soil if moisture is maintained and drainage is adequate.
How much water does Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' need?⌄
Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' needs moderate, consistent moisture, particularly while establishing and during summer heat. Water when the soil surface begins to dry, but avoid constantly soggy conditions.
Is Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' drought tolerant?⌄
Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' is not highly drought tolerant because it performs best in evenly moist soil. A mulch layer and deep watering during dry spells can help prevent wilting and reduced flowering.
Is Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' cold hardy?⌄
Yes, Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' is considered very hardy and is suitable for cold-winter gardens. Winter survival is best when the plant is grown in well-drained soil rather than a wet site.
💧Care and problems
How do you care for Aster 'Coombe Fishacre'?⌄
Grow Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' in sun or partial shade, keep the soil evenly moist, and remove spent or dead growth after flowering. A spring application of compost and occasional division help maintain vigor.
Does Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' need staking?⌄
Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' may need staking in exposed sites or fertile, overly lush conditions, although some plants remain self-supporting. Install supports in early spring before the stems become tall.
What pests affect Aster 'Coombe Fishacre'?⌄
Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' may be affected by slugs, snails, aphids, or aster leaf and bud eelworms. Inspect new growth regularly and remove damaged foliage while improving air circulation around the plant.
What diseases can affect Aster 'Coombe Fishacre'?⌄
Possible problems include powdery mildew, gray mold, rust, and Verticillium wilt. Good spacing, consistent watering at the soil line, and removal of diseased foliage can reduce disease pressure.
Why is Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' not flowering?⌄
Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' may fail to flower because of insufficient light, drought stress, excessive nitrogen, or recent transplanting. Move or thin surrounding plants if needed and keep the soil evenly moist through summer.
🪴Planting and repotting
When should you plant Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' in the United States?⌄
Plant Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' in spring or early fall, allowing several weeks for root establishment before severe heat or freezing weather. Spring planting is the safer choice in regions with short growing seasons.
How far apart should Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' be planted?⌄
Space Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' about 18 to 24 inches apart on center. This spacing allows the mature clumps to fill out while preserving air movement between plants.
Can Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' grow in a container?⌄
Yes, Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' can grow in a large container with drainage holes and moisture-retentive, well-drained potting mix. Choose a container wide enough for its mature spread and water more frequently than plants in the ground.
✂️Propagation and pruning
How do you propagate Aster 'Coombe Fishacre'?⌄
The most reliable way to propagate Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' is by dividing established clumps in spring. Seed propagation is possible, but seedlings may not reproduce the parent plant exactly.
When should you divide Aster 'Coombe Fishacre'?⌄
Divide Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' in spring as new growth begins. Dividing every three to five years, or when the center becomes weak and crowded, can restore vigor and provide additional plants.
When should you cut back Aster 'Coombe Fishacre'?⌄
Cut Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' back to the ground in late fall after flowering or in late winter before new growth resumes. Leaving stems over winter can provide structure and seed for wildlife, but remove them before spring growth becomes dense.
⚠️Toxicity and safety
Is Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' toxic to dogs or cats?⌄
Toxicity has not been established for the exact cultivar Aster 'Coombe Fishacre'. Keep pets and children from chewing the plant, and contact a veterinarian or poison-control service if ingestion causes symptoms.
🌸Flowering and special interest
When does Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' bloom?⌄
Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' usually blooms from late summer into fall, often continuing into early or mid-autumn. Flowering time varies with local climate, planting location, and seasonal weather.
What color are the flowers on Aster 'Coombe Fishacre'?⌄
The flowers of Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' are commonly described as blush-white, pink, lilac, or lilac-blue with yellow to brownish-purple centers. Color can vary somewhat with growing conditions and the stage of bloom.
Is Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' good for pollinators?⌄
Yes, Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' is a valuable late-season nectar and pollen plant for bees, butterflies, and other flower-visiting insects. Its open, daisy-like flowers are especially useful when fewer perennials are blooming.
Is Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' good for cut flowers?⌄
Yes, Aster 'Coombe Fishacre' can be used as a cut flower because its branched stems carry many small blooms. Harvest stems when several flowers are open and place them in clean water immediately.
