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Mertensia virginica en masse.
Mertensia virginica en masse. Photo © Mary Free
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Eurybia divaricata (White Wood Aster)

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This sprawling aster (formerly classified as Aster divaricatus) traditionally blooms in late summer to early fall with numerous clusters of small white flowers. It is great for woodland gardens, where it grows vigorously and aggressively, even in dry shade. Although native throughout much of the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is infrequent to rare in the Coastal Plain and absent in southeastern Virginia. Ground Cover Flowers Close-up, En Masse, Fruit Height: 1⁄2–3 feet Spread: 11⁄2–21⁄2 feet Bloom Color: White Characteristics Loose-clumping, herbaceous perennial Toothed, heart-shaped basal leaves and lance-like distal leaves on dark, often zig-zag, stems Prolific, 1-inch composite flowers with white rays and yellow-to-red disks bloom in relatively flat- topped clusters from July to October The fruits are tipped with white bristles and are seed-like and dry Spreads vigorously by rhizomes and seeds Attributes Tolerates shallow, rocky soil, dry soil, drought, dense shade, and deer No serious pests or diseases Attracts butterflies to its flowers; birds, e.g., juncos and goldfinches, like the seeds Growing and Maintenance Tips Excellent Replacement for Soil Requirements: Dry, Acidic Hedera helix - English Ivy Light Requirements: Partial Shade, Shade Pachysandra terminalis - Japanese Pachysandra Water Requirements: Dry, Moist Easy to grow and maintain; can be aggressive Use under trees, in borders, in woodland gardens and to control erosion Hardiness: USDA Zones 3–8 developed by Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia, serving Arlington and Alexandria Images by Mary Free, Quarry Shade Garden and private garden, Arlington, VA

Tried and True Native Plant Selections 
for the Mid-Atlantic

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Eurybia divaricata (White Wood Aster)

This sprawling aster (formerly classified as Aster divaricatus) traditionally blooms in late summer to early fall with numerous clusters of small white flowers. It is great for woodland gardens, where it grows vigorously and aggressively, even in dry shade. Although native throughout much of the Mid-Atlantic Region, it is infrequent to rare in the Coastal Plain and absent in southeastern Virginia.

Learn more about other Mid-Atlantic plants: 
Tried and True Native Plant Fact Sheets

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