Common Names: Blue Wood Aster
Scientific Name: Symphyotrichum cordifolium (formerly Aster cordifolius)

Plant Characteristics
Duration: Perennial
Size: Typically grows to a height of 2-4 ft.
Bloom Color: Light blue to lavender to white with purple to yellow centers
Bloom Time: Late Summer to Fall
Leaves: The leaves are tiny, narrow, and are arranged alternately along the stems. Heart shaped leaves on the bottom.
Pollinators: This plant has flowers into October when most others have finished blooming, providing vital nectar to bees and other pollinating insects.
Host Plant: Host plant of the Pearl Crescent butterfly.

Growing Conditions
Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Full Sun to Part Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist to Well-drained

Ecological Benefits
Blue Wood Aster is a valuable addition to Maryland's gardens and natural landscapes. Its profusion of small, daisy-like flowers attracts a wide range of pollinators, including bees and butterflies, promoting local biodiversity. The plant's late-season blooms provide a critical nectar source for pollinators preparing for winter. As a native perennial, Blue Wood Aster contributes to the ecological health of Maryland's ecosystems, offering both aesthetic appeal and habitat support for wildlife. This plant has flowers into October when most others have finished blooming, providing vital nectar to bees and other pollinating insects. Host plant of the Pearl Crescent butterfly.