Description

An aster that grows happily in part shade! A mounding perennial with heart-shaped leaves, it may form dense colonies from underground rhizomes and self-seeding. Small, daisy-like white flowers with golden centers fading to a dusky rose contrast beautifully with dark-colored stems and dark green foliage.

A woodland aster that tolerates deep shade but blooms best in light to partial shade. Grows best in moist, humus-rich soil but tolerate dry conditions too. Despite the adaptability to shade, will produce the best flower displays when given morning sun.

Attracts butterflies, larval host plant.

E. divaricata (white wood aster) and E. macrophylla (big leaved aster) are similar and sometimes confused with each other. E. divaricata has white flowers (no tint of lilac), flowerheads with fewer ray florets (about 5-10), its peduncles and pedicels usually have non-glandular hairs, and its basal leaves are smaller in size. E. divaricate does not produce leaves separate from the flowering stem. E. macrophylla has more ray flowers (9-20) that are at least tinted with purple and leaves are produced separate from the flowering stem.

Height: 1-2.5 ft.
Spread: 1.5-2.5 ft.
Growth rate: 14-18″ in 2 years; 18-22″ in 5 years
Family: Asteraceae
Bloom time: August to September
Sun: part shade
Water: dry to medium
Deer and rabbit resistant