{"product_id":"big-leaf-aster","title":"Big-leaf Aster (Eurybia Macrophylla)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLocal Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e Big‑Leaf Aster\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003eEurybia macrophylla\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFamily: \u003c\/strong\u003eAsteraceae\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNative Status\u003c\/strong\u003e: Dakota County Native\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLandscape Archetype:\u003c\/strong\u003e Edgeland, Woodland, Forrest\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLife Cycle:\u003c\/strong\u003e Perennial\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSun Exposure:\u003c\/strong\u003e Shade, part sun\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Moisture: \u003c\/strong\u003eMesic, Dry Shade\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Loam, Clay, Sand \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight \u0026amp; Width Range:\u003c\/strong\u003e Height: Ankles (6-12\")\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 11.0pt; line-height: 107%; font-family: 'Aptos',sans-serif; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: Aptos; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Arial; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA;\"\u003e,\u003c\/span\u003e Knees 12\"–24\", Waist 24\"–36\" (occasionally), Width: 24\" for one plant, often spreads to create colonies if unchecked. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBloom Color: White, Purple \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMorphology Notes:\u003c\/strong\u003e As the name implies, this plant has BIG heart‑shaped leaves with a coarse texture often reaching up to 6 inches across. In a pinch they can be used as toilet paper. Like many other asters the stem-leaves become smaller and narrower as they ascend up the sometimes-reddish stem. Those slightly hairy zig zagging stems terminate in a flower spray in late summer or early fall that is usually a flat-topped collection of white to purplish rays and yellow centers that turn reddish brown with time. Bloom color is highly variable but given the proper conditions this plant will produce an excellent show of flowers and fall foliage. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFruits and Seeds:\u003c\/strong\u003e Small tan‑brown achenes topped with a soft white pappus. Mature seeds are narrow and faintly ribbed. As they dry, the seedheads fluff into pale brown tufts that break apart easily and disperse through light woodland air currents but in some cases can persist into winter. Standing stems even without seeds are attractive poking out of the winter snow. But they look best in fall mixed with fallen leaves and the dipping sun.  \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHabit and habitat\u003c\/strong\u003e: A widespread species across MN that’s common in mesic forests, shaded trails, ravines, and older second‑growth hardwood stands on slopes. It prefers rich soils but is highly adaptable requiring only good drainage. Often forming carpets under mixed hardwoods, it can handle disturbances like light traffic or thinning by shovel. In hot, exposed sites it will merely survive and not thrive. In deep shade it will not bloom but will persist as a ground cover. In the garden its best used in challenging locations under pines or in the shade of building overhangs, mix with spring bloomers and graminoids. Create dynamics by letting it spread into a large patch then dot taller forbs into the planting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCompanions:\u003c\/strong\u003e Woodland Sedges like: \u003cem\u003eCarex sprengelii, C. rosea, C. blanda\u003c\/em\u003e, Wild Geranium (\u003cem\u003eGeranium maculatum\u003c\/em\u003e), Large‑flowered Bellwort (\u003cem\u003eUvularia grandiflora\u003c\/em\u003e), Blue Cohosh (\u003cem\u003eCaulophyllum thalictroides\u003c\/em\u003e), White or Red Baneberry (\u003cem\u003eActaea sp\u003c\/em\u003e.),  Jack‑in‑the‑Pulpit (\u003cem\u003eArisaema triphyllum\u003c\/em\u003e), Smooth Solomon’s Seal (\u003cem\u003ePolygonatum biflorum\u003c\/em\u003e), Violets like: \u003cem\u003eV. sororia or V. eriocarpa\u003c\/em\u003e, Zig-zag Goldenrod (\u003cem\u003eSolidago flexicaulis\u003c\/em\u003e), Wild Ginger (\u003cem\u003eAsarum canadense\u003c\/em\u003e). \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eEcological Associations:\u003c\/strong\u003e Big‑Leaf Aster supports a range of woodland insects. Sweat bees and small mining bees visit the blooms, along with syrphid flies and pollen‑seeking beetles. The foliage hosts leaf‑mining larvae and aster‑associated micromoths including Wavy‑lined Emerald (\u003cem\u003eSynchlora aerata\u003c\/em\u003e). Leafhoppers, planthoppers, and juvenile Orthoptera move through the lower growth, and the creeping rhizomes and leaf litter around the plant provide shelter for minute spiders, tiny beetles, psyllids, thrips, lacewing larvae, and other micro‑arthropods that overwinter in plants. Herbivory is hit or miss, sometimes rabbits and deer will make a meal of it while other years the hairy leaves keep them away. Humans can eat the young waxy looking shoots, throw them on a salad in spring. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eProvenance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Dakota County, Greater MN, WI\u003cbr\u003e\u003c!--[endif]--\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNH Propagation Technique:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seed, though you can easily divide this plant. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"MsoNormal\" style=\"margin-bottom: 0in; line-height: 15.0pt;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpecial Powers: \u003c\/strong\u003eA steady, reliable woodland matrix plant that weaves together nicely with a woodland cohort like Zigzag goldenrod, woodland sedges and other medium height plants requiring shady conditions. It’s a great plant to let run through natural areas or as a replacement for removed buckthorn because it will compete with garlic mustard. An excellent choice under mature shade trees, trails or edge areas with mild disturbance. At the end of the day, it’s one of NH’s go-tos for gardens hugging trees or the shade of buildings.   \u003cspan style=\"font-size: 10.5pt; font-family: 'Segoe UI',sans-serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; mso-font-kerning: 0pt; mso-ligatures: none;\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan style=\"mso-spacerun: yes;\"\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Northern Holler, LLC","offers":[{"title":"2.5\" POWER PLUG","offer_id":48188153561338,"sku":"EURY-MACR-01","price":3.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false},{"title":"3.5” 1st YR Perennial","offer_id":48188512338170,"sku":"EURY-MACR-O3","price":5.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"3.5” 2ND YR Perennial","offer_id":48188512305402,"sku":"EURY-MACR-02","price":7.5,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0806\/9929\/3946\/files\/20250827_202445573_iOS.jpg?v=1773634916","url":"https:\/\/northernholler.com\/products\/big-leaf-aster","provider":"Northern Holler, LLC","version":"1.0","type":"link"}