Wood's Purple Asternative cultivar

Field guide

'Wood's Purple' is a compact, mildew-resistant aster cultivar in the Wood's series, 12–18 in. tall and wide, smothered in purple-violet daisy flowers with yellow centers from late summer into fall. Asters (reclassified from Aster to Symphyotrichum) are a keystone genus in the Mid-Atlantic—per the National Wildlife Federation they host caterpillars of ~100 moth and butterfly species and support ~50 specialist pollen bees—providing critical late-season nectar and pollen plus pearl-crescent larval habitat. This clone offers tidy habit and disease resistance, though its uniformity limits the genetic diversity straight species provide.

Gardener's notes

For nonstop fall pollinator traffic you can't beat an aster—give it sun and airflow to dodge mildew. Pinch or Chelsea-chop by early July for a bushier, self-supporting mound. Leave stems and seed heads standing through winter for overwintering insects and songbirds; cut back in early spring.

Ecology

• Pollinators: late-season bees, butterflies, skippers, beetles
• Specialist bees: Andrena (Callandrena) asteris, A. asteroides, A. hirticincta, A. nubecula, A. placata, A. simplex, Colletes simulans
• Larval host for: pearl crescent (Phyciodes tharos)
• Birds: songbirds & small mammals eat seed
• Keystone: yes — anchor genus for native insects.

Care this season

• Pruning: pinch / Chelsea-chop late spring–early July for a bushier habit and less staking
• Standing stems: leave them — insects overwinter inside.
• Diseases: mildew/rust if crowded—give airflow

Sources

• Symphyotrichum — NC State Extension
• Keystone plants by ecoregion — National Wildlife Federation