♦ Zones:  3 - 8     Height:  12 - 30"     Exposure:  Part Shade to Full Shade ♦

The White Wood Aster is found in the Eastern United States and typically grows in the wild in dry open woods.  It grows in loose clumps with dark, sprawling, sometimes zigzag stems.  Distinctive leaves are heart-shaped, stalked and coarsely toothed.  Small but abundant flowers have white rays and yellow to red center disks and appear in flat-topped, terminal clusters in late summer to early fall and very attractive to butterflies.  Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in part shade to full shade. Thrives in shade and tolerates dry conditions.  Plant in groups in the shaded perennial border, native or wild garden. Good underplanting for wooded areas. Sprawling habit can be propped up if planted among stronger perennials such as some of the larger hostas.