Large-Leaved Aster (Eurybia macrophylla)
Eurybia mak-roe-FY-lah

Deciduous Perennial Upright, Spreading in the Asteraceae Family
Sporadic pale lavender-purple flowers late summer to early fall that attract butterflies and bees.

Eurybia macrophylla, the large-leaved aster, is a native woodland perennial grown for its bold, heart-shaped basal foliage as much as for its flowers. Broad, coarsely toothed leaves up to 8 inches across form a dense groundcover under trees, with upright flowering stems rising above them in late summer. From August into September, loose clusters of violet to pale lavender, daisy-like flowers with yellow centers appear atop the foliage, drawing bees and butterflies. Native to eastern and central North America, including the Great Lakes region, large-leaved aster spreads gradually by rhizomes and self-seeding to form attractive colonies in shaded woodland gardens, dry open woods, and naturalized plantings.

Pros

  • Bold foliage provides season-long groundcover interest
  • Thrives in deep, dry shade where little else grows
  • Late-season nectar source for bees and butterflies
  • Spreads naturally to fill in woodland plantings

Cons

  • Can spread assertively by rhizome and self-seeding
  • Occasional powdery mildew or slug damage
  • Flowering is reduced in the deepest shade
Why Like Large-leaved aster earns its place in a woodland garden with its bold foliage alone, carpeting the shaded floor with broad, heart-shaped leaves long before its lavender flowers appear in late summer. It thrives in the dry, deep shade under mature trees where few other native perennials perform well, and its late bloom provides valuable nectar for bees and butterflies as the growing season winds down.
Highlights
  • Bold, heart-shaped foliage provides groundcover even before bloom
  • Late-summer lavender flowers attract bees and butterflies
  • Thrives in deep shade where few perennials flower well
  • Spreads naturally to form colonies in woodland gardens
 

Plant Data

Mature Size 24 - 36 inches tall. 3 - 4 feet wide.
Sun Exposure Full Shade - Partial Sun
Moisture Tolerance Dry - Medium
Zones 3a - 8b (Usually hardy to -40° F)
Tags Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Attracts Pollinators, Deciduous, Drought Tolerant, Dry, Full Shade, Groundcover, Illinois Native, Low Maintenance, Medium, Native to North America, Naturalizing, Partial Shade, Partial Sun, Perennial, Popular For Fall, Shade Tolerant, Woodland Garden
Bloom Period August to September
Flower Color Violet to Pale Lavender with Yellow Centers
Foliage Color Green
 

More Info from Experts

Commonly Planted with...

  • Ferns and Solomon's Seal, for layered woodland texture
  • Wild Ginger and Foamflower, as low companions beneath its broad leaves
  • White Wood Aster (Eurybia divaricata), for a longer shade-garden bloom season
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Pricing and Availability History

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Past Availability
2025 : 04/03 - 10/04
2024 : 05/01 - 10/05
2023 : 04/13 - 09/30


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Field-Grown vs. Greenhouse-Grown Plants

Plants which are well-adapted to our local climate are most often field-grown (outside). Field-grown plants are generally cheaper and have the advantage of already somewhat acclimated to our cold winters, but that means they’re not artificially far along in the spring and tend to bloom at the normal time in our area.

Spring annuals and tender perennials are typically grown in Greenhouses so they can be ready and luxurious exactly when customers want them. Some perennials are also “forced” into early bloom in greenhouses. In May, there can be a very big difference between field-grown and greenhouse-grown plants of the same type. The latter typically look good right away (so they’re a great choice where that’s important), but we typically pay a premium for it.


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No Pricing or Availability Right Now

We order from a rotating cast of the best nurseries in the Great Lakes region. It looks like we've offered this plant in the past, but the nurseries we're working with this week don't appear to have it in stock at the moment.

Our goal is to bring as many plants together under "one roof" as possible, so we'll try hard to make it available again in the future!