Symphyotrichum cordifolium (Common Blue Wood-Aster)

Symphyotrichum cordifolium is called the Heart-leaf Aster, or the Common Blue Wood-aster. A woodland perennial aster that blooms late season, brightening the landscape and rewarding small pollinating insects with its small, pale blue-lavender flowers. "Heart-leaf" comes from the distinctive heart-shaped basal leaves, which distinguish it from many other asters.

This species grows in sun to shade, but thrives in part sun/shade (1-3 hours of direct sun), making it one of the best asters for woodland gardens and lower light plantings. Its open, branching form, when in flower, creates a cloud-like effect en-mass that pairs extremely well with gold-flowered goldenrods.

Late season asters are an important nectar and pollen source for many pollinators: small native bees, butterflies and moths, and beetles seeking pollen. When a single flower is successfully pollinated, the centers change color from light yellow to reddish-purple. Asters also support several specialist mining bees, and are a host plant for the Pearl Crescent butterfly, Silvery Checkerspot Butterfly, and several species of moths.

Heart-leaf aster possesses an adaptability to shade few other flowering plants can match. An excellent species for sun and shade pollinator gardens alike. Pairs well in a mass planting with other fall blooming woodland flowers, such as Eurybia divaricata (white wood aster), Solidago caesia (bluestem goldenrod), and Solidago flexicaulis (zizag goldenrod), and Solidago erecta (slender goldenrod).