Lowrie's Blue Wood Aster

Symphyotrichum cordifolium

Native to:
Canada, Prince Edward I., United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Asteraceae
Genus:
Symphyotrichum
Species:
Symphyotrichum cordifolium
USDA Symbol:
SYLO2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Forb/herb
Height:
150 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
sep,oct,nov
Bloom Colors:
blue, violet, lavender

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

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
Deer Resistant:
Yes
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts from rootstock following fire; benefits from periodic burning to reduce competition.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 30–60 days
Germination Time:
14–30 days
Notes:
Seeds require light for germination; surface sow and do not cover.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI