Northwest Blooms · Perennials
Eurybia divaricata 'Eastern Star'
Eastern Star White Wood Aster
- Family
- Asteraceae
- Height
- Approximately 21 inches
- Width
- Up to 36 inches
- Flower color
- White with yellow centers, aging to dusky rose
- Foliage color
- Deep green with dark veins; stems are dark green to nearly black
- Bloom time
- September to October
- Light
- Partial to full shade
- Water
- Moist, well-drained soil
- Maintenance
- Low; spreads by rhizomes and seeds
- Growing zone
- USDA zones 4 to 9
- Wildlife
- Attracts butterflies; seeds are enjoyed by songbirds like goldfinches and juncos
About this plant
Eurybia divaricata 'Eastern Star' is a compact, clump-forming perennial native to the eastern United States, particularly the Appalachian region. This cultivar is distinguished by its dark, nearly black, glossy stems and heart-shaped, sharply toothed leaves with prominent dark veins. In late summer to early fall, it produces an abundance of small, daisy-like flowers with white petals and yellow centers, creating a delicate and attractive display in shaded garden areas.
'Eastern Star' thrives in dry, shaded environments and is well-suited for groundcover, effectively filling spaces left by spring ephemerals. It is also beneficial for pollinator gardens, attracting butterflies and other beneficial insects. This cultivar was first discovered by Roger Rache in coastal Rhode Island and introduced by Canyon Creek Nursery.
Works well in
Borders · Shade Gardens · Woodland Gardens · Pollinator Gardens · Bird Gardens
Companion plants
Japanese forest grass · Astilbes · Heucheras · Siberian bugloss · Sweet woodruff · Foamflowers
Design tip
Foliage and form do most of the work here, so lean on texture and repetition rather than one flowering moment. Keep it out of hot afternoon sun and layer it with woodland companions for a full, settled look.
