Blue Wood Aster
Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Perennial
Height
36 inches
Width
30 inches
Light
Partial Sun, Shade
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8
Water
Moderate
Humidity
Moderate
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Eastern North America
Toxicity
Non-toxic
The Story
Plant Bio
Blue Wood Aster is a native woodland perennial that produces large, airy sprays of small, daisy-like flowers in the fall. It has distinctive heart-shaped basal leaves. This species is particularly valuable for bringing late-season color to shady or woodland gardens, where fall bloomers are less common. Its profuse, cloud-like blooms are a vital nectar source for native pollinators.
Bloom Period:
Uses & Benefits:
Marketplace
Where to Buy
Shipping costs Year-round shipping Free shipping
Planting
How to Grow
- Select a site with morning sun and afternoon shade, or light shade.
- Provide average, well-drained soil; it is not overly picky.
- Dig a hole and place the plant so the crown is at soil level.
- Backfill with soil and water in well.
- Water regularly during the first season to establish.
- Allow spent flowers to go to seed to encourage naturalizing.
Pro Tip
Allow it to self-seed to create beautiful, naturalistic drifts in a woodland or shade garden setting.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Plant in part shade for best performance.
- Allow it to self-sow for a natural look.
- Provide average moisture; it is drought tolerant once established.
- Appreciate its wild, airy habit.
Don't
- Don't plant in deep, dark shade, which will reduce flowering.
- Avoid planting in hot, full sun, which can scorch the leaves.
- Don't over-fertilize, as this can lead to weak growth.
- Don't worry if it looks a bit wild; that is its charm.
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Divide | ||||||||||||
| Pinch | ||||||||||||
| Plant |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Blue Wood Aster questions
What zones can Blue Wood Aster grow in?
Blue Wood 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 Blue Wood Aster deer resistant?
Yes — Blue Wood Aster is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Blue Wood Aster bloom?
Blue Wood Aster typically blooms in early fall through late fall. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Blue Wood Aster need full sun?
Blue Wood Aster does best in part shade.
Is Blue Wood Aster drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Blue Wood Aster handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
More Symphyotrichum to compare
New England Aster Harringtons Pink
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Harringtons Pink'
Eastern Silver Aster
Symphyotrichum concolor
New Mexico Aster My Antonia
Symphyotrichum fendleri 'My Antonia'
New England Aster
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae '05-196-10'
Fanny aster
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'Fanny'
Snow Flurry Heath Aster
Symphyotrichum ericoides 'Snow Flurry'
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Collections featuring this plant
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Blue Wood Aster with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.
