Aster cordifolius - Common Blue Wood Aster

Family:	Compositae
Habit:	Perennial
Height:	1.5
Width:	1
Synonyms:
Range:	Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia and New Brunswick to Ontario, Minnesota, Georgia and Missouri.

Aster cordifolius (Common Blue Wood Aster) is a Perennial which grows to a height of 1.5m and a width of 1m . It has a hardness rating of 3.
Common Blue Wood Aster will flower in March to April. The flowers from this plant are hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and they are pollinated by Bees, flies, beetles, lepidoptera, self

Soil Information

Common Blue Wood Aster will grow in light (sandy),medium (loamy),hard (clay) soil. It is / is important for the soil to be well drained.
The soil prefers the following PH / acid levels :
- pH of less than 6, Acidic soils
- pH between 6 and 8, Neutral soils
- pH greater than 8, Basic soils
Common Blue Wood Aster prefers moist soils

Ideal Planting Locations

Common Blue Wood Aster should not be planted in shady areas.

Woods and thickets[235].

Planting places suited to this plant described below.

• Grows within a woodland garden
• Grows on a sunny edge
• Works within dappled Shade

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most good garden soils[1], preferring one that is well-drained and moisture retentive[200]. Prefers a sunny position[200]. Prefers a rich soil[1]. Plants can be naturalized in a woodland or other wild garden[200]. Most species in this genus seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[200].

Edible Uses*

* See disclaimer
Edible Rating: 2/5
Leaves - cooked and used as greens[207].

• Leaves -

Medicinal Uses*

* See disclaimer
Medicinal Rating: 1/5
An infusion of the plant is used as an aromatic nervine and also in the treatment of rheumatism[207].

• Antirheumatic - Treats rheumatism.
• Aromatic - Having an agreeable odour and stimulant qualities.
• Nervine - Stimulates and calms the nerves.

Propagation

Seed - surface sow in spring in a cold frame. Do not allow the compost to become dry. Pre-chilling the seed for two weeks can improve germination rates[134]. The seed usually germinates in 2 weeks at 20°c[134]. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn[200]. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots when they are about 10 - 15cm long with plenty of underground stem. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Known Hazards

None known

Other Uses

None known

Cultivars

'' - There are some named forms for this species, but these have been developed for their ornamental value and not for their other uses. Unless you particularly require the special characteristics of any of these cultivars, we would generally recommend that you grow the natural species for its useful properties. We have, therefore, not listed the cultivars in this database[K].

References

The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Huxley. A.
Author: Huxley. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
Date of Publication : 1992

An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada
Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Author: Britton. N. L. Brown. A.
Rating:
Publisher : Reprint of a 1913 Flora, but still a very useful book.
Date of Publication : 1970

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