Big-leaf Aster is a flowering, herbaceous perennial wildflower in the daisy family typically found in moist to dry forests at moderate to high elevations. At maturity, it can reach a height of 4 feet with a equal width. This shade-loving plant with large basal leaves will produce violet to pale blue flowers, with yellow centers, in early fall. The flowering, however, can be sparse and it may be more useful for its heart-shaped foliage. The species name means large leaf. Big-leaf Aster does best in moist, well-drained, sandy or loam soils. This is a woodland species that will grow in shade, but best flowering and growth is in part shade. During the summer, stems with alternate leaves are produced, while the basal leaves wither away. The plant will spread by means of rhizomes or self-seeding and will form colonies in optimum growing conditions. It can be useful as a ground cover. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests, Powdery mildew is possible and slugs can sometimes be a problem.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day) | Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 6 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Ascending; Broad; Mounding
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate; Serrate
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf value
Showy
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, > 6 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Large basal leaves (4 to 8 inches wide) are heart-shaped and sharply-toothed. Ovate, stalkless upper leaves are much smaller. The petioles of the basal leaves are up to 6 inches long, light green, and usually hairy.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Panicle
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Blooms from July to October. Flat-topped clusters of flowers with violet to pale blue (rarely white) rays and yellow center.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit detail
Displays from August to October. Bullet-shaped achenes have a tuft of tawny hairs at its apex and are distributed by the wind.
Stem color
Green; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Stems are light green to pale reddish green, terete, and variably hairy: usually the lower stems are hairless, while the upper stems are short-hairy.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern and Central North America
Distribution
Nova Scotia south to Georgia and west to the Mississippi. Introduced to parts of Central Europe.
Wildlife value
Flowers are attractive to butterflies.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Achene
Edibility
Tender, young leaves may be cooked and eaten as greens.