perennialN. America Native

Big-leaved Aster

Eurybia macrophylla

The Story

Plant Bio

Eurybia macrophylla is a woodland perennial native to eastern North America. It forms a dense groundcover of large, heart-shaped basal leaves and sends up tall flower stalks in late summer.

This species is valued as much for its bold, weed-suppressing foliage as for its delicate, late-season flowers. It is an excellent, tough groundcover for dry shade, a notoriously difficult garden situation.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides bold foliage texture throughout the growing season and a lovely display of delicate, lavender-blue flowers in the fall when many other shade plants are finished.

An excellent and competitive groundcover that suppresses weeds, especially in challenging dry shade conditions under deciduous trees. It is also highly deer and rabbit resistant.

A vital late-season nectar and pollen source for a wide variety of native bees, butterflies, and other pollinators preparing for winter.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

30 inches

Width

30 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8

Water

Low to moderate

Humidity

Adaptable

Lifespan

Long-lived perennial

Native To

Eastern North America

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Bloom period

Late summer – Mid-fall

In flower about 3 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Choose a location in partial sun to full shade.
It is adaptable to various soils but prefers average, well-drained loam.
Dig a hole and plant at the same depth it was in the container.
Water well after planting to settle the soil.
It spreads by rhizomes to form a groundcover.
Little maintenance is required once established.

Pro Tip

Plant it where it has room to spread via rhizomes, as it will form a large, dense colony over time, especially in moist soil.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Allow it to spread to form a dense groundcover.
Water during prolonged drought, especially in the first year.
Cut back flower stalks after they finish if desired.
Divide in spring if you wish to propagate it or control its spread.

Don't

Don't plant in a small, formal border where its spreading habit is unwanted.
Don't plant in constantly waterlogged soil.
Avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of powdery mildew.
Don't fertilize; it thrives in average to poor soil.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Divide
Plant
Spring Cleanup

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Tough, weed-suppressing groundcover for dry shadeNaturalizing in woodland settings and under treesLate-season pollinator support plant for native gardens

Companion Plants

Solidago caesia (Blue-stemmed Goldenrod)Polystichum acrostichoides (Christmas Fern)Asarum canadense (Wild Ginger)Actaea racemosa (Black Cohosh)

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Big-leaved Aster questions

What zones can Big-leaved Aster grow in?

Big-leaved Aster is hardy in USDA Zones 4–8. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Big-leaved Aster deer resistant?

Yes — Big-leaved Aster is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Big-leaved Aster bloom?

Big-leaved Aster typically blooms in late summer through mid-fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Big-leaved Aster need full sun?

Big-leaved Aster does best in part shade.

Is Big-leaved Aster drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Big-leaved Aster handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.