common blue wood aster Interesting Notes

"Plants generally are highly branched with many small flowers, each generally less than one inch wide. Ten to twenty narrow ray flowers, ranging in color from dark blue to off-white, surround a yellow center. Although a good deal of variability occurs, plants usually bear smooth stems and thin, hairly leaves. The thin, sharply-toothed leaves provide the plant with common names such as Bee Weed and Bee Tongue. Although plants often look bedraggled in the wild, cultivation tends to make them stand up straight and put their shoulders back. The lower leaves are heart shaped (cordate), and the upper leaves are ovate to lanceolate. The small flowers lend themselves to cut flowers, particularly as fillers with larger flowers in arrangements. The species itself is offered, but numerous cultivars have also been selected. Plants grow well in both the North and South, but leaf spotting becomes a bigger problem in the humidity of the South." - Allan Armitage, Herbaceous Perennial Plants

Aster cordifolius Growing and Maintenance Tips

Prefers a partially shaded site, but will tolerate sun or shade. Flowering is best with 3 hours of sun or more. Works well in average, dry or moist soil, but does not like to be consistently wet.

Good Substitutions

Aster cordifolius 'Avondale'