White wood aster
Eurybia divaricata
Family: Asteraceae
What it is like
Aster divaricatus L. is a synonym of Eurybia divaricata (L.) G.L.Nesom
Eurybia divaricata is a deciduous Perennial growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.9 m (3ft in) at a fast rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is noted for attracting wildlife. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid and neutral soils. It can grow in full shade (deep woodland) semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 0.9
Where it is found
Found in dry open woods as well as along wood-edges and clearings.
Native to eastern North America. It occurs in the eastern United States, primarily in the Appalachian Mountains, also present in southeastern Canada.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
Canada, North America, USA.
How it is used
Food
Rating: 2
The young leaves of the plant can be cooked and eaten.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 2
Shade/Semi-shade in woodland gardens. Grow and flower in dry shade. Fragrant Blooms. Ornamental - flowering earlier than many other asters. Invertebrates shelter: beneficial for insects and other arthropods. Nectary: provides nectar or pollen for beneficial insects. Attractive to butterflies.
Food Forest: Plants for Edible Forest Gardens and Food Forests.
How it is grown
A spreading rhizome herbaceous Perennial flowering earlier than many other asters. Flowers are small but abundant (to 1 inch across). It needs average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in sun, part shade to full shade. Thrives in shade and tolerates dry conditions. Prefers shade to sun. Growth Habit: Clump-forming. Flowering Period: Aug to Oct. Flower Colour: White. Flower: Showy. Time to full growth: 2 to 5 years. Little problem with both disease and insects. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots. The root pattern is stoloniferous rooting from creeping stems above the ground. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 9 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1) .
Propagating it: Propagate by division in spring.
Best place to grow:
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-8
Growth: Fast
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Full shade, semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Its other names
Local names
White star aster, White wood aster, wood aster, Eurybia divaricata, Aster divaricatus
Synonyms
Aster divaricatus. Aster boykinii E.S.Burgess. Aster carmesinus E.S.Burgess. Aster castaneus E.S.Burgess. Aster claytonii E.S.Burgess. Aster corymbosus Sol. ex Aiton. Aster divaricatus L. Aster elatus Bertero ex Steud. Aster excavatus E.S.Burgess. Aster fischeri Kuntze. Aster flexilis E.S.Burgess. Aster stilettiformis E.S.Burgess. Aster tenebrosus E.S.Burgess. Biotia corymbosa var. alata (W.P.C.Barton) DC. Eurybia corymbosa (Sol. ex Aiton) Cass.