White Wood Aster
White Flowers for the Fall Garden
This problem-solving perennial thrives in dry shade underneath trees.
White wood aster (Eurybia divaricata) is a fall-blooming herbaceous perennial plant, native to the dry open woodlands of eastern North America. The plant has heart-shaped leaves and grows 1 to 3 feet tall, spreading vigorously and sometimes aggressively by rhizomes, with a tendency to self-seed. Blooming starts in late summer and continues well into autumn, with white flowers creating a stunning display against a backdrop of green foliage.
The flowers of white wood aster have white petals surrounding yellow to brownish-red centers, and produce seeds that are readily eaten by birds during the wintertime. This aster also serves as a butterfly nectar plant and host plant for the checkerspot and pearl crescent butterflies, making it an excellent choice for anyone interested in gardening for nature.
Plant white wood aster in a location with part to full shade and average, moist, well-draining soil. It will tolerate dry and clay soils and can even thrive in the dry shade underneath a tall tree canopy. Powdery mildew may be an occasional problem, along with aster wilt - ensure the plant has good air circulation, and do not plant in poorly draining soil. White wood aster is generally left alone by deer and rabbits (sadly, no plant is truly 100% deer resistant).
‘Eastern Star’ (Eurybia divaricata ‘Eastern Star’) is a more compact cultivar of white wood aster. It stays under 2 feet tall, and has prolific blooms. White wood aster was previously called Aster divaricatus, and has been reclassified as Eurybia divaricata, due to genetic research.
White Wood Aster's vigorous spread through rhizomes makes it an excellent choice as a ground cover for shaded areas.
Does White Wood Aster Spread? Is White Wood Aster Invasive?
White wood aster is native to eastern North America and is not classified as an invasive plant; in parts of Canada, it is actually classified as an endangered species. However, when given the right conditions, white wood aster will spread aggressively. The terms "invasive" and "aggressive" are often used interchangeably, but they have different meanings in the context of plants and ecosystems. “Invasive" is associated with non-native species that harm local ecosystems, and "aggressive" simply describes a plant's growth and spreading behavior, which can be observed in both native and non-native species.
When white wood aster is happy, it can (and will) spread aggressively. If you want to cover a large, shady area with a low-maintenance perennial, this is a wonderful thing! But if you want a plant that stays put and does not creep out of bounds in a mixed border, this is not the plant for you - try something else, like astilbe or Japanese Hakone grass (Hakonechloa macra).
A white wood aster (Eurybia divaricata) grows in its native environment, along the bank the Potomac River.
Garden Ideas for White Wood Aster:
When using white wood aster in the garden, keep in mind the aggressive spreading nature of this perennial. White wood aster looks great in a naturalized shade garden, where it can ramble around other perennials like Christmas fern (Polystichum acrostichoides), variegated Solomon’s seal (Polygonatum odoratum ‘Variegatum’), and coral bells (Heuchera species). This plant is both a butterfly nectar and host plant, making it a great choice for a butterfly garden. Plant in a pollinator garden, where it becomes an important source of late-season nectar for bees and native pollinators.
White wood aster is an exceptional problem-solving plant for the challenging areas of dry shade in the landscape. It brings life to what otherwise may be a barren and overlooked spot, such as the dry shade underneath trees or a shady slope where moisture is scarce. Fill these dry areas with white wood aster, spacing plants 2 feet apart to create a thick ground cover that will crowd out weeds and require little maintenance. Newly planted white wood aster will need lots of water -it takes time for young plants to establish and develop a mature root system. Learn more about watering here.