Aster cordifolius ‘Wood’s Blue’, commonly known as Blue Wood Aster, is a compact, floriferous cultivar of the native heart-leaved aster. Blooming from late summer into fall, this perennial produces masses of small, daisy-like lavender-blue flowers with golden centers that provide a vital nectar source for late-season pollinators. Growing just 12 to 18 inches tall, ‘Wood’s Blue’ has a tidy, clumping habit with attractive dark green foliage and heart-shaped lower leaves, making it well-suited to shaded borders, woodland edges, and native plant gardens. As a selection of a native species, it retains the pollinator benefits of the wild form while offering improved garden performance.

Why choose Blue Wood Aster:

• Late-season blooms: Abundant blue flowers brighten the garden when many others fade

• Pollinator support: Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects

• Compact size: Perfect for small gardens, shade borders, and underplantings

Cultivating tips:

• Sun exposure: Thrives in part shade to full shade; tolerates morning sun

• Soil needs: Prefers moist, well-drained soil but is adaptable to drier woodland conditions

• Maintenance: Very low-maintenance; cut back after blooming to tidy or leave for winter structure

Designs for your garden:

• Woodland gardens: Natural fit for forest edges and shaded beds

• Pollinator pathways: Excellent source of fall nectar in wildlife-friendly designs

• Mixed native borders: Pairs well with goldenrod, ferns, and other native shade perennials

Ecological benefits:

• Native cultivar: Maintains value for native pollinators while being garden-friendly

• Biodiversity booster: Supports bees, butterflies, and late-season insects

• Low-input plant: Thrives with minimal care in naturalistic and sustainable landscapes

Let me know if you’d like the short and meta descriptions to go with this!