Wood's Blue Fall Aster

Wood's Blue is a low, rounded New York aster with clear blue, yellow-centered flowers from late summer into fall, bringing useful color near the front of a border. [Greenleaf Nursery](https://www.greenleafnursery.com/Plant/WOODS-BLUE-ASTER) lists this cultivar at 12–16 inches tall and wide, while [Van Noort Bulb](https://www.vannoortbulb.com/products/aster-dumosus-woods-blue) gives about 16 inches tall by 20 inches wide and a broader hardiness range. Allow roughly 12–20 inches of spread as the clump matures. ### Garden use Plant in sun or light afternoon shade in a well-drained border, rock garden, or container. Its compact habit is also suited to a small group near paths, where the late flowers and yellow centers are easy to notice. The blue shade is described as medium or clear blue by Greenleaf; other catalogs use blue-purple, so color can read differently under local light. The species and cultivar are commonly sold under Aster dumosus, though some botanical references use Symphyotrichum dumosum. ### Growing notes Give plants enough air movement and avoid persistently wet soil. Greenleaf notes strong mildew and rust resistance, and its compact size typically avoids staking. The [Perennial Resource profile](https://www.perennialresource.com/variety.php?ID=ASTWL) for the closely related Wood's Light Blue selection also notes that Wood's asters attract butterflies and work well as cut flowers; use clean stems for small arrangements. ## Maintenance Water regularly while establishing, then adjust to rainfall and soil drainage. Remove spent stems after flowering or leave some seed heads standing into winter. Divide congested clumps in spring if flowering weakens or the center becomes thin.