Image of Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Source: Sundaura Alford-Purvis
image of Flowering plant
Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Heart-leaved Aster
Aster à feuilles cordées

Obsolete Names

blue wood aster
No seeds available for this plant.
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Blue Bloom period: Sep - Oct
Max Height: 3.0 feet
Max Width: 2.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
Full shade Less than 2 or 3 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Moisture medium Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan: Perennial plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
beginner friendly Suitable for beginner gardeners
plant germinate easy Easy to germinate
plant self seeding Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
rain garden Suitable for rain gardens
container suitable Suitable for container garden
school garden Suitable for school gardens
woodland garden Suitable for woodland gardens
boulevard garden tolerant Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
foot traffic tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
Ecological Benefits:
Pollinator garden Supports pollinators
butterfly host Butterfly host
keystones species Keystone species
Tolerates:
foot traffic Tolerant Tolerates foot traffic
limestone Tolerant Tolerates limestone conditions
sand Tolerant Tolerates sandy conditions
juglone Tolerant Tolerates juglone conditions
transplantation Tolerant Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
causes skin rashes This plant causes skin rashes

Plant Location

Native to Ottawa region: Yes

Distribution according to VASCAN

Distribution: Symphyotrichum cordifolium
Ephemeral Native Introduced Excluded Extirpated Doubtful Absent
View taxonomy on Canadensys

View on iNaturalist

Thrives in Ecozones

  • Atlantic Maritime
  • Boreal Shield
  • Mixed Wood Plains

Ecological Benefits

Butterflies Supported by Symphyotrichum cordifolium

  • Cucullia convexipennis (Brown Hooded Owlet)
  • Eupithecia miserulata (American Common Pug)
  • Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades)
  • Leuconycta diphteroides (Green Leuconycta)
  • Phyciodes cocyta (Northern Crescent)
  • Trichordestra legitima (Striped Garden Caterpillar)

Specialized Bees Supported by Symphyotrichum cordifolium

  • Andrena aliciae
  • Andrena asteris
  • Andrena canadensis
  • Andrena chromotricha
  • Andrena hirticincta
  • Andrena nubecula
  • Andrena placata
  • Andrena simplex
  • Complexe Colletes americanus
  • Complexe Colletes compactus
  • Complexe Colletes simulans
  • Dianthidium simile
  • Melissodes agilis
  • Melissodes druriellus
  • Melissodes illatus
  • Melissodes subillatus
  • Melissodes trinodis
  • Protandrena andrenoides
  • Pseudopanurgus aestivalis
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.

Complementary Plants

Substitute For Non-Native Plants

  • Chrysanthemum (Mums)
  • Rosa (Non-native Roses)
  • Helianthus (Non-Native Sunflower)
  • NA (Black Eyed Susan's Cultivars)
  • Rudbeckia Triloba (Brown Eyed Susan's)
  • Echinacea (Coneflowers)
  • NA (Coreopsis cultivars)
  • Helianthus).1 (Non-Native Sunflower)
  • NA (Non-Native False Sunflower)
  • Symphiotrichum (Non-Native Aster)
  • Melilotus albus) (Sweet White Clover)
  • Hesperis matronalis (Dame Rocket)

Sowing Information

Download Sowing Label (PDF)
  • Sowing depth: Surface sow
  • Sow by February
  • Stratification duration: 60 days
  • Self-seeding

Harvesting and Seed Sharing

  • Harvest start month: October
  • Harvesting indicator: Seeds have become fluffy and can be easily removed by shaking on gently pulling off from stem
  • Harvesting mean: Shake seed head in paper bag
  • Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
  • Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/4 teaspoon
  • Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
  • At least one cultivar: No, you can donate without knowing the source as there are only straight species
  • Harvesting video: Watch here

Toxicity Notes

Inadequate information on toxicity found.