Symphyotrichum cordifolium / Blue Wood Aster (Aster Family)

This is a high-value, low maintenance shade plant for the woodland garden. It is a favorite of all types of pollinators, including specialized bees, and a host plant to numerous moths and butterflies. It is relatively short, but can be cut in half by July for a bushier plant. Spreads readily by runners and seed, so be sure to give it plenty of room to grow. Heart-shaped leaves can grow dramatically large in ideal situations, but tend to die back as flowering approaches. 
Blooms: Pale blue, 3-4 weeks, Aug-Sept
Leaves: Large, heart-shaped, deeply toothed leaves
Height: 1-3’
Space: 2-3’
Soil: Average
Exposure:  Part shade-Dappled shade
Fauna: High value, visited by many insects for pollen and nectar, host plant to numerous species of moths and butterflies
Seeds:  Typical, fluffy achenes produced by most asters
Deer Resistance: High
Zone: 3-8
Native Status: NC native, common in the Mountains, uncommon in the Piedmont, rare in the Sandhills
Provenance: WV, seed grown