Symphyotrichum cordifolium – Blue Wood Aster

One of the best of the native asters for naturalizing – it grows in just about any garden conditions and self-sows freely. Some might even consider it a bit weedy. It’s happiest at the edge of woods. The clouds of blue flowers that appear along our wooded roadsides in the fall are mostly from this species. Like most asters, these flowers are rich in nectar and provide food for numerous butterflies and bees. The caterpillars of Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) and Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis) butterflies feed on the foliage.