Common Blue Wood Aster
Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Also known as: white arrowleaf aster, Lowrie's Blue Wood Aster
- Native to:
- Canada, Prince Edward I., United States, Virgin Islands
Marie Studer (www.inaturalist.org)
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Genus:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- Symphyotrichum cordifolium
- USDA Symbol:
- SYCO4
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 120 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Low
- Bloom Months:
- aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- blue, violet, purple
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★★★★☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
- Pollen Specialist Bee Keystone:
- ★★★★☆ Native pollen specialist bee species supported by this genus (NWF)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Acrocercops astericola, Asymmetrura impositella, Asymmetrura matutella, Coleophora dextrella, Coleophora duplicis, Dichomeris levisella, Dichomeris ochripalpella, Parectopa pennsylvaniella, Tischeria astericola
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Common eastern (Bombus impatiens) Moths:Acrocercops astericola, Bucculatrix sexnotata
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies, birds
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- rich, well-drained loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- tolerates poor drainage
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- prefers woodland edges and shaded areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- Cold/moist stratification required — 60–90 days
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require cold stratification for 60-90 days to break dormancy; sow in fall or after stratification.
Pre-treatment: No pre-treatment required, but stratification may speed up germination
Establishment: Seeds were collected from Natchez Trace Parkway, from around Jackson, Mississippi to the terminus in Natchez, Mississippi. The plant is generally found from Nova Scotia to Minnesota, south to Georgia and Missouri.
Source: npn.rngr.net
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 4C for 3 weeks, then place @ 20C.
Where to Buy
Nationwide Seller
- Wild Seed Project (seeds)
- Prairie Moon Nursery (nursery and seeds)
- North Creek Nurseries (nursery)
- Pizzo Native Plant Nursery (wholesale nursery)