Big-leaf Aster Eurybia macrophylla
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Aster macrophyllus
- Phonetic Spelling
- yoor-RIB-ee-uh mak-roh-FIL-uh
- Description
-
Big-leaf Aster is a flowering, herbaceous perennial wildflower in the daisy family typically found in moist to dry forests at moderate to high elevations. At maturity, it can reach a height of 4 feet with a equal width. This shade-loving plant with large basal leaves will produce violet to pale blue flowers, with yellow centers, in early fall. The flowering, however, can be sparse and it may be more useful for its heart-shaped foliage. The species name means large leaf.
Big-leaf Aster does best in moist, well-drained, sandy or loam soils. This is a woodland species that will grow in shade, but best flowering and growth is in part shade. During the summer, stems with alternate leaves are produced, while the basal leaves wither away.
The plant will spread by means of rhizomes or self-seeding and will form colonies in optimum growing conditions. It can be useful as a ground cover.
Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems:
No known diseases or insect pests, Powdery mildew is possible and slugs can sometimes be a problem.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Eurybia
- Species:
- macrophylla
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern and Central North America
- Distribution:
- Nova Scotia south to Georgia and west to the Mississippi. Introduced to parts of Central Europe.
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers are attractive to butterflies.
- Edibility:
- Tender, young leaves may be cooked and eaten as greens.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Ground Cover
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Broad
- Mounding
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
-
-
Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- Displays from August to October. Bullet-shaped achenes have a tuft of tawny hairs at its apex and are distributed by the wind.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Blooms from July to October. Flat-topped clusters of flowers with violet to pale blue (rarely white) rays and yellow center.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Large basal leaves (4 to 8 inches wide) are heart-shaped and sharply-toothed. Ovate, stalkless upper leaves are much smaller. The petioles of the basal leaves are up to 6 inches long, light green, and usually hairy.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are light green to pale reddish green, terete, and variably hairy: usually the lower stems are hairless, while the upper stems are short-hairy.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
