{"product_id":"aster-macrophyllus","title":"Aster macrophyllus","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAster macrophyllus\u003c\/strong\u003e, known as Bigleaf Aster, is a shade tolerant native perennial prized for its large heart shaped basal leaves and clusters of soft lavender blue flowers that appear in late summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cblockquote\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" data-end=\"803\" data-start=\"716\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"735\" data-start=\"716\"\u003eHeight \u0026amp; Spread\u003c\/strong\u003e: 1.5 - 3 ft x 2 - 3 ft\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" data-end=\"872\" data-start=\"806\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"820\" data-start=\"806\"\u003eBloom Time\u003c\/strong\u003e: Late summer (August to September)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" data-end=\"949\" data-start=\"875\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"897\" data-start=\"875\"\u003eLight Requirements\u003c\/strong\u003e: Part shade to full shade; tolerates morning sun\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" data-end=\"1045\" data-start=\"952\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"971\" data-start=\"952\"\u003eSoil Preference\u003c\/strong\u003e: Dry to medium, well drained soil; tolerates clay and rocky substrates\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" data-end=\"1120\" data-start=\"1048\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1066\" data-start=\"1048\"\u003eWatering Needs\u003c\/strong\u003e: Low once established; moderately drought-tolerant\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: left;\" data-end=\"1223\" data-start=\"1123\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1142\" data-start=\"1123\"\u003eDeer Resistance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Moderate to high; not a preferred food source, but may be nibbled occasionally\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/blockquote\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eNATIVE STATUS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1498\" data-start=\"1254\"\u003eNative to eastern and central North America, commonly found in dry deciduous forests, wooded slopes, and shaded clearings. It plays a functional role in native woodland ecosystems, particularly in the understory layer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eWILDLIFE \u0026amp; INSECTS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1719\" data-start=\"1608\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1623\" data-start=\"1608\"\u003eButterflies\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1719\" data-start=\"1608\"\u003eOffers nectar for late flying species such as Monarchs, Pearly Crescents, and Red Admirals.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"1869\" data-start=\"1722\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1730\" data-start=\"1722\"\u003eBees\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"1869\" data-start=\"1722\"\u003eSupports a variety of woodland adapted native bees, especially bumblebees and small sweat bees that forage in shaded settings.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"2173\" data-start=\"1872\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"1889\" data-start=\"1872\"\u003eOther Insects\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2173\" data-start=\"1872\"\u003eIts flowers attract hoverflies and parasitic wasps, which help maintain garden pest balance. The large leaves can also shelter overwintering insects.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"2173\" data-start=\"1872\"\u003eThough not a primary host plant, it provides key nectar support in environments where few other flowers bloom late in the season.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSPACING \u0026amp; LANDSCAPE USE\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eSpacing Recommendations\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eSpace 18 - 24 in apart to allow for natural spreading and groundcover development.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eLandscape Placement\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli class=\"p1\"\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003eIdeal for shady borders, woodland edges, under deciduous trees, or naturalized shade gardens. It excels as a textural filler in dry, understory plantings and helps suppress weeds with its broad leaves.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2 class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003eCOMPANION PLANTS\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3167\" data-start=\"3064\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3167\" data-start=\"3066\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3102\" data-start=\"3066\"\u003eAsarum canadense (Wild Ginger)\u003c\/strong\u003e - spring foliage partner and low growing native for dry shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3266\" data-start=\"3168\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3266\" data-start=\"3170\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3220\" data-start=\"3170\"\u003eMaianthemum racemosum (False Solomon’s Seal)\u003c\/strong\u003e - adds early flowers and arching structure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3358\" data-start=\"3267\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3358\" data-start=\"3269\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3307\" data-start=\"3269\"\u003eCarex blanda (Common Wood Sedge)\u003c\/strong\u003e - tough groundcover grass for woodland cohesion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3450\" data-start=\"3359\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3450\" data-start=\"3361\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3399\" data-start=\"3361\"\u003eAquilegia canadensis (Columbine)\u003c\/strong\u003e - spring bloomer that thrives in filtered light.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli data-end=\"3552\" data-start=\"3451\"\u003e\n\u003cp data-end=\"3552\" data-start=\"3453\"\u003e\u003cstrong data-end=\"3494\" data-start=\"3453\"\u003ePolemonium reptans (Jacob’s Ladder)\u003c\/strong\u003e - soft textured spring flower for layered shade interest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Cicconi Farms","offers":[{"title":"2 Gallon","offer_id":45901836058785,"sku":"ASTER MACROPHYLLUS","price":12.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0359\/3329\/0634\/products\/aassccoo.jpg?v=1674745340","url":"https:\/\/cicconi-farms.myshopify.com\/products\/aster-macrophyllus","provider":"Cicconi Farms","version":"1.0","type":"link"}