Aster

There are lots of wild asters in North America. Blue wood aster is common on wooded East-coast slopes and tolerates shade better than most of its relatives. Blue wood asters have been planted at Mustila where they thrive in the shade of the Rock (Sugar) Maples (Acer saccharum) south of the Festival Area. The large, heart-shaped leaves effectively cover the ground, and in late summer blue wood aster puts out tall stems with big blue florets.