With large, heart-shaped leaves and soft lavender blooms with yellow centers, Big Leaf Aster brings a woodland grace to the late-season shade garden. It grows 1–3 feet tall and spreads to form leafy groundcover under trees and along woodland edges.

Thrives in part to full shade and dry to medium soils—especially useful in tough, dry woodland conditions. Very low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.

Spreads by rhizomes to form colonies—ideal for naturalizing, suppressing weeds, and adding late-season color in shady areas.

Native to eastern North America, common in deciduous forests, shaded slopes, and woodland edges.

Bold foliage emerges in spring, filling space early; delicate pale purple blooms appear from late summer into fall. Leaves fade to soft gold, while seed heads linger into winter.

Attracts late-season pollinators like bees and butterflies, and is a larval host for several moth species. Dense foliage provides cover for small woodland creatures.