Eurybia macrophylla, commonly known as Big-Leaved Aster, is a native perennial wildflower found in woodlands, shaded meadows, and along forest edges throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, moist to dry soils and prefers partial to moderate shade, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens and naturalized landscapes.
This plant features large, heart-shaped basal leaves and produces clusters of pale lavender to light blue daisy-like flowers with yellow centers in late summer to early fall. The flowers provide an important nectar source for pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Eurybia macrophylla typically grows to a height of 1 to 3 feet and spreads gradually through rhizomes, forming attractive ground cover in shaded areas.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Eurybia macrophylla is a valuable addition to woodland plantings, shade gardens, and pollinator habitats. Its late-season blooms offer a crucial food source for pollinators when many other flowers have faded. Additionally, its dense foliage helps suppress weeds and stabilize soil, making it a useful ground cover for erosion control. This hardy, low-maintenance plant is well-adapted to the understory of forests and can thrive in challenging shady conditions where other wildflowers may struggle.
Eurybia macrophylla, commonly known as Big-Leaved Aster, is a native perennial wildflower found in woodlands, shaded meadows, and along forest edges throughout Illinois. It thrives in well-drained, moist to dry soils and prefers partial to moderate shade, making it an excellent choice for woodland gardens and naturalized landscapes.
This plant features large, heart-shaped basal leaves and produces clusters of pale lavender to light blue daisy-like flowers with yellow centers in late summer to early fall. The flowers provide an important nectar source for pollinators, including bees and butterflies. Eurybia macrophylla typically grows to a height of 1 to 3 feet and spreads gradually through rhizomes, forming attractive ground cover in shaded areas.
For Illinois native plant enthusiasts, Eurybia macrophylla is a valuable addition to woodland plantings, shade gardens, and pollinator habitats. Its late-season blooms offer a crucial food source for pollinators when many other flowers have faded. Additionally, its dense foliage helps suppress weeds and stabilize soil, making it a useful ground cover for erosion control. This hardy, low-maintenance plant is well-adapted to the understory of forests and can thrive in challenging shady conditions where other wildflowers may struggle.
Bloom time: late summer to early fall
Habitats: beech-maple woodlands; elevated areas (hummocks) in swamps; sandy oak savannas; sandy oak woodlands; stabilized sand dunes where oak trees are dominant; woodland borders
Lifespan: perennial
Moisture: moist to dry-mesic
Plant type (height): forb (6 to 12 inches)
Requirements: partial sun to moderate shade
Soil: rich loam; sandy loam
