Symphyotrichum cordifolium
As nights cool and days shorten, watch for spikes of small pale lavender to white flowers dancing in the dappled shade of trees. This aster’s namesake heart-shaped leaves can be found at the base of the 30 to 90 centimetre tall stems.
As other blooms disappear, the late summer flowers of heart-leaved aster provide nectar and pollen for a variety of pollinators and insects. Long- and short-tongued bees are responsible for most of the pollination of these asters. Butterflies, skippers and moths also visit, with silvery checkerspot and pearl crescent butterflies using asters as a host plant for their caterpillars.
Preferring partly sunny areas, heart-leaved aster will also grow in full shade in most soils, including gravelly or rocky soils. Heart-leaved aster will spread by both seed and underground rhizomes, so clip seedheads if spread is a concern, or leave to fill in an area. For the best fall display, plant small groupings of five or more plants in moist to dry locations with good air circulation.
Perfect for woodland gardens, heart-leaved aster can also be added to shady borders, grown in containers, or included in rain garden designs. Combine these asters with groupings of other local native favourites such as heart-leaved foamflower, wild-ginger and blue-stemmed goldenrod. Cut some of these attractive sprigs to brighten your home indoors with a flower arrangement.
Main Photo: Patricia Griesser