Blue Wood Aster
Symphyotrichum cordifolium
The aster for the shade garden. Airy sprays of pale blue-violet flowers in September and October, naturalizing into drifts where most asters can't grow.
Typically 1 pint–1 gal · $9–$30 · final price at pickup
- Thu, Sep 248 AM – 4 PM
- Fri, Sep 258 AM – 4 PM
- Sat, Sep 268 AM – 2 PM
The only aster that blooms reliably in shade. essential for extending fall color and pollinator habitat beyond the sunny border.
Blue Wood Aster is the aster for the shade garden. While most asters demand full sun, Blue Wood Aster blooms reliably in part to nearly full shade, producing loose, airy sprays of pale blue-violet to nearly white flowers in September and October. The flowers are small but abundant and have a natural, wildflower quality that suits woodland and shade gardens better than the bolder asters of the sunny border. The heart-shaped basal leaves are distinctive and attractive from spring through fall. In dappled shade this aster spreads gently and self-sows to naturalize into informal drifts that feel like they've always been there. It's a key plant for extending fall color and pollinator habitat into parts of the garden that most native plants can't reach. Pair it with ferns and arisaema for a classic eastern woodland fall combination.
A nursery-grown plant, ready for the ground.
Healthy, container-grown blue wood aster propagated on-site at Hill House from regional genetics. Includes a one-page care card. We make every effort to supply plants as listed; occasionally we substitute a similar species of equal value.
- Sun
- Part sun
- Water
- Average
- Mature size
- 2–4 ft · 24–36 in wide
- Bloom time
- Fall
- Bloom color
- Blue
- USDA zones
- 3–8
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Native range
- Eastern North America, from Quebec south to Georgia, west to Kansas
Care notes for blue wood aster.
Plant in part shade to light shade in moist, well-drained soil. Tolerates drier shade once established. Allow to self-sow and naturalize in suitable areas. Thin seedlings as needed. Divide every 3-4 years in spring. Cut back in late fall or early spring. Does not perform as well in deep, dry shade.
Pairs well with these.
Same light, same soil, same wildlife. Janet's picks to plant alongside blue wood aster.
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