White Heart-leaved Aster Eurybia divaricata

Woodland aster, is a native herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae (daisy) family.  Native to the Eastern United States this wildlfower typically grows in dry open woodlands, primarily in Appalachian mountain areas.

Woodland aster can grow to a mounding height of 3 feet and spread vigorously by rhizomes reaching its full growth in 2 to 5 years. It prefers partial shade with 3-4 hrs of sun daily in average, medium to dry well-drained soils. It is shade, deer, and drought tolerant. Shearing the plant to 6 inches in early summer produces a more compact plant. Propagate this plant by division in the spring.

The showy white flowers appear in clusters dancing above the heart shaped leaves in late summer to fall and are a favorite of bees and butterflies. The seeds that follow the flower are eaten by birds and small mammals and provide a valuable fall and winter food source.  The center of the flowers (disk flowers) change from yellow to red upon pollination.

Use this plant in open shade gardens, woodland areas, native, pollintor, or cottage gardens. It is a tough native plant that blooms in the shade, and that can be hard to find!.

This plant was selected as the 2008 NC Wildflower of the Year, a program managed by the North Carolina Botanical Garden with some financial support from the Garden Club of North Carolina.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: This plant has some susceptibility to powdery mildew so give it good air circulation. Aster wilt can also be an occasional problem, particularly if plants are grown in poorly-drained clay soils. mproving drainage and good air circulation helps reduce the incidence of foliar diseases.

VIDEO: Part of the Native Plant Picks series from the North Carolina Sea Grant led Coastal Landscapes Initiative.