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Common Blue Wood Aster Symphyotrichum cordifolium

Other Common Name(s):

Previously known as:

  • Aster cordifolius
Phonetic Spelling
sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum kor-dih-FOH-lee-um
Description

Blue Wood Aster is a herbaceous perennial that may grow 3 feet tall. It has narrow, alternate leaves with a toothed margin. Pale blue to violet flowers bloom in large, loose panicles.

A low maintenance perennial native to eastern and central North America the blue wood aster is commonly found naturalized in woodlands, meadows, or stream banks.  It can be weedy as it self-seeds very easily.

Pinching back the stems will lead to a bushier plant and hopefully avoid the need for staking.  The foliage tends to decline by late summer and it can be cut to the ground to avoid any self-seeding and also to help with appearance.

Grows in average, dry to moist (prefers moist), well-drained soils.  It does not tolerate poorly drained locations.  It can be found in part shade locations as it tolerates shade well.

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:
Tags:
#showy flowers#native bees#shade garden#low maintenance#fall interest#cottage garden#small mammals#specialized bees#NC native#deer resistant#native garden#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#perennial#weed#food source winter#wildflower#herb garden#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#showy flowers#native bees#shade garden#low maintenance#fall interest#cottage garden#small mammals#specialized bees#NC native#deer resistant#native garden#native wildflower#larval host plant#food source fall#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source herbage#food source nectar#food source pollen#bird friendly#food source hard mast fruit#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#Audubon#perennial#weed#food source winter#wildflower#herb garden#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Symphyotrichum
    Species:
    cordifolium
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Canada to U.S.A
    Wildlife Value:
    Host plant for the Pearl Crescent butterfly. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. Songbirds and small mammals eat the seeds.  Members of the genus Symphyotrichum support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteroides, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) placata, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, and Colletes simulans.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Moderately deer resistant.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    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 Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Displays from October to November
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    Red/Burgundy
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Panicle
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    7 - 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    < 1 inch
    Flower Description:
    White to pale blue to pale violet flower heads bloom in large, loose panicles. Disk flowers open yellow and turn red over time. Bracts are smooth, narrow, and blunt.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Shape:
    Cordate
    Lanceolate
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    < 1 inch
    Leaf Description:
    A stout leafy plant with smooth, upright arching stems with 2-5 in sharply toothed leaves. Upper leaves are ovate and lower leaves are heart-shaped. The base is often deeply notched.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Surface:
    Smooth (glabrous)
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Slope/Bank
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Cottage Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Problems:
    Weedy