Common Name
Blue wood aster
Heart-leaved aster
Plant Form
Herbs
Duration
Perennial
Max Height (ft)
4.0
Width (ft)
1.5 -
2.0
Region
Coastal
Piedmont
Mountain
Hardiness Zone
5,
6,
7,
8
Additional Info
Habitat: Mesic to dry upland forests, woodlands, and shaded road banks; tolerant of a range of soil chemistries. Common in the Virginia mountains; frequent in the Piedmont; infrequent to rare in the Coastal Plain.
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 supports specialized bees
Note: Can get weedy
High Value Generalist
Earth Sangha lists this plant as a "High Value Generalist" because it is easy to grow, occurs across a wide range of habitats and is known to be of high value to wildlife
Flower Color
Blue
Purple/lavender
Flower Prominence
Conspicuous
Bloom Time
Early Summer
Late Summer
Fall
Light Requirements
Full sun
Partial sun
Moisture Requirements
Moist
Average
Low Maintenance
Yes
Deer Resitant
Yes
Seed or Fruit eaten by wildlife?
Yes
Pollinators
Bees
Butterfiles
Commercially available
Yes
Nurseries that may carry live plant
Carries Seeds (may not be available)
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