Eurybia divaricata 'Eastern Star'

Eurybia divaricata 'Eastern Star' is a most valuable player in the shade garden. This North American native, commonly called a White Wood Aster, tolerates drought and shade (including full shade) and produces abundant clusters of ¾-inch white, Daisy-like flowers with golden or reddish centers that are a late-season food source for butterflies. The plant is easy to recognize with its stout, compact habit, heart-shaped, toothed foliage, gleaming mahogany stems, and, of course, masses of flowers in late summer and fall.

Although taxonomists have reclassified the 23 species (and one natural hybrid) once included in the genus Aster as Eurybia, the common name "Aster” is still widely used. Along with other reclassified North American genera such as Symphyotrichum and Doellingeria, Eurybia remains part of the large Aster family (Asteraceae), which also includes familiar plants like Sunflowers, Cosmos, Zinnias, and even Lettuce. With one exception from Eurasia, Eurybia species are herbaceous perennials native to North America and valued for their ecological importance, occurring across the continent in a range of habitats—from forests and woodland edges (often in rocky, shallow soils on slopes) to dry, sandy coastal areas, and dry to mesic prairies. Their Daisy-like, composite flowers, made up of ray and disc florets, are especially important for pollinators and wildlife. These tough, somewhat rhizomatous plants tolerate drought and other harsh conditions, making them excellent, low-maintenance choices for pollinator gardens and naturalized plantings, and while they are generally not favored by deer, occasional nibbling may occur.

For more information on growing and care, click Growing Guide.