Native Plant of the Week - Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Family: Asteraceae
Name: Symphyotrichum cordifolium - Blue Wood Aster
Bloom Time: August - October
Flower: loose panicles of pale lavender
Soil Condition: well drained, dry to moist
Light: full sun to partial shade
Height: 18” - 36”
Native Range: Eastern and Central North America including Long Island
Symphyotrichum cordifolium is a fantastic pollinator plant for late summer to early fall. It’s supposed to be deer and rabbit resistant but unfortunately they may be nibbled. Tolerant of juglone in the soil under trees in the Black Walnut family. Great in a planter and as a cut flower in a vase. Will self sow in the garden to create a small colony.
Fun Fact: Also known as heart-leaf aster because the foliage is heart shaped.
Benefit: Leave seed heads for the birds in the fall and winter. Host plant to Silvery Checkerspot, Pearl Crescent and several species of moths.
Maintenance: Very low maintenance plant. Pinching the plant several times before mid July will result in a bushier plant with a lot of showy flowers. May get leaf spot in humid summers.
Companion Plants: Amelanchier canadensis (Serviceberry), Heliopsis helianthoides (Ox-eye daisy), Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern), Carex pensylvanica (Oak Sedge)
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References:
http://www.newmoonnursery.com/plant/Aster-cordifolius
