www.whatsnative.com Aster divaricatus North American Native Aster ((a-ster ) From the Latin meaning a star, referring to the flower heads. divaricatus * (div-var-i-cah-tus) meaning spreading, diverging. *Reclassified as Eurybia, (daughter of Pontus and Gaeae (Gaia), and a sea goddess in Greek mythology),divaricata. Zones: 3 – 8 Flower Color: White Height: 2 – 4’ Spacing: 18” About the Species: Common Name: White Wood Aster Family: Asteraceae 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 semi-evergreen 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. USDA Plants Database Habitat: Aster divaricatus grows naturally in deciduous woods, clearings, thickets, dry woods, and along roadsides In the Garden: Plant in a cutting garden, shade garden, butterfly or 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. The Perennial Farm, 12017 Glen Arm Road, Glen Arm, Maryland 21057; Phone: 410-592-6106; Fax: 410-592-8338 www.whatsnative.com Aster laevis ‘Bluebird’ North American Native Cultivar Aster ((a-ster ) From the Latin meaning a star, referring to the flower heads. laevis* (lie -vis) meaning smooth. *Reclassified as Symphyotrichum laeve. Zones: 4 – 9 Flower Color: Sky Blue Height: 3 – 4’ Spacing: 24” About the Species: Common Name: Smooth Aster Family: Asteraceae This native Aster grows to 4’ tall in a vase-shape. It has deep sky blue flowers with golden-yellow centers covering the entire plant in September. If you cut the plants back in early June it will make them bushier and it will control the height, eliminating the need for staking. Stems are usually un-branched with bluish green foliage. The stem often has a purple tint. Easily grown in average, dry to medium, well-drained soil in full sun, it will grow in some shade but may need staking and less flowering may occur. Aster laevis will self-seed and naturalize. Habitat: You can find this Aster growing in prairies, rocky glades, dry open woods, roadside banks and thickets. In the Garden: Asters are great for the autumn garden, adding color and volume. Use this plant for the border, wildflower, cut flower, meadow, native, cottage gardens and for attracting wildlife. The nectar of this plant is important for migrating monarchs and other late season butterflies and the caterpillars of the Silvery Checkerspot feed on the foliage. USDA Plants Database The Original Cottage Garden-Kitchen Garden Early settlers could not count on finding the herbs they needed for medicinal purposes by wandering around the countryside when an emergency occurred. The ladies, especially, would go out and gather the plants they regularly needed and would plant them in a garden next to the kitchen door with a fence or wall around the garden to protect the plants from critters. As some of the plants were very colorful and others were primarily green, some thought of design went into the placement. The original Kitchen Garden was a space separate from the rest of the garden. A Kitchen Garden usually contained vegetables, herbs and ornamental plants. More functional than ornamental, these plants were mainly used in cooking, for medicinal purposes, or pest control. The garden may have contained just a few plants or many in a highly structured design. Plants that needed the same amount of sun and water were grouped together to make their care easier. Many of the plants were perennials and could be left outside all year. Others were annuals and that required seed collection or cuttings taken to be kept inside during the winter. Some woody tender plants were planted in pots and carried outside during the mild season and brought inside to a warm sunny area for the cold season. In a large Kitchen Garden, plants were sometimes grouped by the illness they could help cure. Plants grown for potpourri were especially important to scent the air and for aromatherapy. Cottage Gardens were originally very practical with an emphasis on vegetables and herbs. Flowers were used to fill in the spaces in between. The Perennial Farm, 12017 Glen Arm Road, Glen Arm, Maryland 21057; Phone: 410-592-6106; Fax: 410-592-8338 www.whatsnative.com Aster novae-angliae ‘Purple Dome’ North American Native Cultivar Aster ((a-ster ) From the Latin meaning a star, referring to the flower heads. novae-angliae *(no-vie -ang-glee-ie ) From the Latin novus, meaning new and angliae meaning England. *Reclassified as Symphyotrichum nove-angliae. Zones: 3 - 9 Flower Color: Purple Height: 18” Spacing : 18” ‘Purple Dome’s’ 18 inch stems are topped with bright purple semi-double daisy shaped flowers. It grows best in full sun to light shade in moist, well-drained soil. Blooming in August through September, this Aster will attract birds and butterflies. The shorter height of this cultivar makes it a good fall blooming plant for the front of the mixed border and should not need staking. About the Species: Aster novae-angliae AKA New England Aster In the huge genus of Aster there are various Common Name: New England Aster characteristics such as tall and short, narrow and wide, upright and cascading, even trailing. Family: Asteraceae An intense purple aster growing 18 inches tall was spotted on Pennsylvania’s Rte. 100 below .Habitat: This native Allentown, PA. It was one of those “60 mile an hour” plants that we talk about. If you can Aster is found growing see it out of the corner of your eye while wild in a variety of traveling on a highway, it is pretty spectacular. colors, including pink, Dr. Dick Lightly, former Director of Mt. Cuba lavender, and purple. Center in Delaware is one of those people who just seem to notice plants that are out of the They can be found ordinary. Using material provided by Robert growing naturally in G. Seip of Lennilea Farm, Mt. Cuba introduced damp meadows, fields, A. ‘Purple Dome’. It was registered in 1989 and shores and first mentioned in Fine Gardening USDA Plants Database magazine in the May-June 1992 issue. In the Garden: New England Aster can be planted in mass for a knock out sight or in a small clump to blend or contrast with other sun loving perennials. Good air circulation will help to reduce foliar diseases such as powdery mildew. Plant in borders, native plant gardens, cottage gardens, or butterfly gardens. The showy flowers are useful in cut flower arrangements as well as planted in the landscape. Other Uses : Some Native American tribes would use smoke from a burning Aster plant to assist in reviving someone who had fainted. A tea from the plant was used to relieve headaches and the roots were smoked in pipes as a cha rm to attract game. The Perennial Farm, 12017 Glen Arm Road, Glen Arm, Maryland 21057; Phone: 410-592-6106; Fax: 410-592-8338 www.whatsnative.com Aster novi-belgii ‘Alert’ North American Native Cultivar Aster ((a-ster ) From the Latin meaning a star, referring to the flower heads. novi-belgii * (no-vee-bel-gee-ee) meaning of New York. *Reclassified as Symphyotrichum novi-belgii. Zones: 3 - 9 Flower Color: Purplish-Red Height: 12-15” Spacing: 18” ‘Alert’ has purplish red, daisy like flowers, late summer into fall. This native aster has a compact growth habit growing 12-15” tall. It provides a nice punch of color when used with ornamental grasses, and Amsonia hubrichtii. About the Species: Common Name: New York Aster, Michaelmas Daisy Family: Asteraceae Habitat:. Found in damp thickets, meadows and shorelines of the North Eastern United States. In the Garden: Plant in full sun, sandy, loamy soil of average fertility. Use in the mixed bed or border for excellent fall color. USDA Plants Database Other Uses : Native American Indians used the smoke from a burning Aster plant to assist in reviving someone who had fainted. A tea from the plant was used to relieve headaches. Other medicinal uses included treating fevers, diarrhea, and weak skin. The roots were smoked in pipes as a charm to attract game. The Perennial Farm, 12017 Glen Arm Road, Glen Arm, Maryland 21057; Phone: 410-592-6106; Fax: 410-592-8338 www.whatsnative.com Aster novi-belgii ‘Raspberry Swirl’ North American Native Cultivar Aster ((a-ster ) From the Latin meaning a star, referring to the flower heads. novi-belgii * (no-vee-bel-gee-ee) meaning of New York. *Reclassified as Symphyotrichum novi-belgii. Large raspberry blooms with yellow centers in early fall provides a pop of color for autumn gardens. Zones: 3 - 9 Flower Color: Raspberry Height: 24” Spacing: 18” About the Species: Common Name: New York Aster, Michaelmas Daisy Family: Asteraceae Habitat:. Found in damp thickets, meadows and shorelines of North Eastern U.S and Canada. In the Garden: Plant in full sun, sandy, loamy soil of average fertility.