perennials - Natives Coming in 2010

ASTER (a-ster)
From the Latin meaning a star,
referring to the flower heads.
Asteraceae Family
Aster divaricatus* (div-var-i-cah-tus)
*Taxonomists have reclassified Aster divaricatus to the genus of Eurybia,
(daughter of Pontus and Gaeae (Gaia), and a sea goddess in Greek mythology),
and divaricata meaning spreading, diverging.
Common Name: White Wood Aster North America
Zones: 3 – 8 Flower Color: White Height: 2 – 4’ Spacing: 18”
Aster divaricatus brightens up dark shady areas with its ¾ - 1-inch starry shaped
white flowers arranged in a flat-topped inflorescence. The flowers will provide
nectar for pollinators in the fall. On 1-2 foot twiggy stems, these Asters will
carpet your woodland gardens with its rhizomatous roots, spreading 2-4 feet.
The thin, purple-black, cascading branches are filled with white flowers mid-
July through September. After the spent blooms are cut back, the semievergreen
heart shaped leaves can be enjoyed the rest of the year. They have
been referred to as spreading semi-creepers. Flowering will be stronger in more
sunlight. In shady areas where it tends to be leggy, it can be cut back to 12
inches in mid-June. White Wood Aster prefers soil that is well drained, and
once established, can be quite drought tolerant.
Aster divaricatus grows naturally in deciduous woods, clearings, thickets, dry
woods, and along roadsides. In the landscape, plant in a cutting garden, shade
garden, Butterfly and Hummingbird garden, or use in a border. White Wood
Aster is perfect for the dry shade garden. Deer will travel right by this Aster to
munch on Hostas and other exotic perennials. Include in a sea of white to
separate colors that may otherwise clash.
Aster novae-angliae* (no-vie-ang-glee-ie)
*Taxonomists have reclassified Aster novae-angliae to the genus of
Symphyotrichum, from the Greek symphysis meaning borne together or growing
together and trichos, hair, or a single-hair and nove-angliae from the Latin novus
meaning new and angliae meaning England of New England.
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