Symphyotrichum cordifolium 'Avondale'
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum kor-dih-FOH-lee-um
- Description
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'Avondale' is a hybrid of the native blue wood aster in the Asteraceae family and is a prolific bloomer.
The plant can tolerate full sun to shade, is pH adaptable and does best in dry to moist, well-drained soils. It is drought-tolerant once established. In shadier locations, it has a more open, arching form, while in more sun it grows erect and reaches 2 to 3 feet tall.
In early to mid-fall, it is covered in small flowers with light blue rays that surround the yellow center disc florets. They are very attractive to bees and butterflies and mix well with other fall bloomers.
Use Avondale blue wood aster in the border or in groups in the pollinator, cottage or woodland garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems. Some susceptibility to powdery mildew, leaf spots, or rust. Aster wilt can also be an occasional problem if plants are grown in poorly-drained clay soils. Good air circulation helps reduce the incidence of foliar diseases. Taller plants may require staking or other support.
- See this plant in the following landscape :
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- cordifolium
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Dense
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Winter
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Seeds have tufts of light brown to pinkish hair to carry them off in the wind.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- 1/2 inch flowers have light blue rays surrounding the yellow disc florets in dense clusters in early to mid-fall.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Dentate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Lower leaves are up to 5” long and 3 inches wide and are heart-shaped with coarse teeth. Upper leaves are smaller with an ovate shape and more rounded base.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Green branched stems
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Small groups
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
