A native of eastern US, white wood aster is found in open areas of the deciduous woodlands of the Appalacian Mountains from Maine to Georgia. It is a herbaceous perennial and a member of the aster family, Asteraceae, that also includes daisies, sunflowers and lettuce. Wiry black stems carry long petioled , heart-shaped leaves, that are three to seven inches long and have coarsely toothed margins. Starry white flowers with yellow to red centers are ¾ inch long and carried in loose flat-topped clusters that cover the plant from late summer to fall. An excellent choice for dry shade. Plants growing in the South tend to leggy and can be cut back to twelve inches in mid June to encourage bushiness.
Type: Herbaceous perennial
Bloom: Starry white flowers with yellow to red centers in loosse flat-topped clusters from late summer to fall
Size: 1-2’ H c 3’ W
Light: Part shade to full shade
Soil: Average, moderately dry, well-drained
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Care: In South, cut back to 12” in mid-June to encourage bushiness.
Pests and Diseases: Susceptible to powdery mildew and aster wilt.
Propagation: Division, terminal cuttings in spring, seed in spring or fall
Companion plants: Bergena, lirope, goldenrod,l ungwort, hosta,
Karen Meyers