Fall is the time for asters and goldenrods. One of the first asters to bloom in my garden each autumn is Eurybia macrophylla – the Large Leaf Aster. It flowers range from pale blue to pink to white, depending (it seems) on its growing conditions. In my garden, they’re mostly pale pink to white.   

This flower is quite the trooper – loving it in full to part shade and dry to fairly moist sandy soils. (A friend grows it in heavy clay soil where it does OK – it just doesn’t flourish as well as it does in my sandy loam soil.) 

Blooms start in August and often keep going till the first good frost.  

As usual, the Plant Description and In the Garden sections are courtesy of Shawn Booth from In Our Nature. The content of this article is excerpted from our book The Gardener’s Guide to Native Plants of the Southern Great Lakes Region (Firefly Books), available wherever you buy your books. 

Scientific Name: Eurybia macrophylla 

Common Name: Large Leaf Aster 

Family: Asteraceae (Aster Family) 

Alternate Common Names: Bigleaf Aster, Large-leaf Wood Aster 

Plant Description: Large Leaf Aster features large, heart-shaped basal leaves that measure about 20 cm long, 15 cm wide and are coarsely toothed, sparsely hairy, and borne on long leaf stalks. As the leaves ascend the stem they decrease in size and become shorter stalked to the point where the uppermost leaves are reduced to stalkless bracts. Leaf stalks are narrowly winged but become broadly winged as they ascend the stem. Stems are upright, rigid, sparsely hairy, and unbranching except for at the top where they branch out to support open, flat-topped flower clusters. Each cluster can have eight to 90 stalked flowers that measure up to 4 cm across. Individual flowers are characterized by nine to 20 unevenly spaced, thin ray florets (petals) that surround a yellow centre disk that turn a brownish red with age. Tightly packed, stout, hairy bracts surround the base of each flower and are found in four to six layers. They are green with a purple tinge and have whitish edges. Flowers give way to dry, brown, narrow seeds with tufts of white hairs that allow them to be carried by the wind. 

In the Garden: Large Leaf Aster is valued by gardeners looking for a lush, reliable woodland groundcover with a bold texture. It spreads non-aggressively by rhizomes to form dense colonies over time. It is tolerant of dry shade and will grow in the dense shade under pine or spruce trees but with reduced flowering and vigour. 

Skill Level: Beginner 

Lifespan: Perennial 

Exposure: Full shade to part shade 

Soil Type: Sandy loam to rich loam 

Moisture: Moist to dry 

Height: 15–110 cm 

Spread: 60 cm 

Bloom Period: Aug, Sep, Oct 

Colour: White, blue 

Fragrant (Y/N): N 

Showy Fruit (Y/N): N  

Cut Flower (Y/N): N 

Pests: No serious insect or disease problems 

Natural Habitat: Open woods, thickets, and clearings 

Wildlife Value: Nectar and pollen of the flowers attract a large number of native bees and other insects, and Ruffed Grouse (Bonasa umbellus) and Wild Turkey (Meleagris gallopavo) eat the seeds and foliage 

Butterfly Larva Host Plant For: Silvery Checkerspot (Chlosyne nycteis), Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) 

Moth Larva Host Plant For: Aster Borer Moth (Carmenta corni),  Asteroid Moth (Cucullia steroids), Arcigera Flower Moth (Schinia arcigera), others  

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–7 

Propagation: Sow seeds outside in fall or, if starting indoors, provide 60 days cold, moist stratification for any seeds that haven’t germinated in three to four weeks. Do not cover the seeds as they require light to germinate. Also can be propagated by stem cuttings taken in late spring or by dividing mature clumps. 

Additional Info: Individual plants don’t flower every year, which means that in a patch of Large Leaf Aster only a few plants will bloom each year, and therefore it is best used as a groundcover for its heart-shaped leaves. 

Native Range: 

Every July, my garden lights up with the brilliant red of Monarda Didyma – Bee Balm (or Beebalm), sometimes referred to as Scarlet Beebalm. Except in very dry years, this plant is always a showstopper in my garden. With 2024 being a fairly wet year, it is no exception this year. This plant is so easy to propagate – the roots run just below the surface of the soil and can be lifted in chunks and replanted elsewhere. I now have it growing in at least 6 different flower beds in my yard – from full shade to full sun. Definitely one of my top 10 favourites. 

Scientific Name: Monarda didyma 

Common Name: Bee Balm 

Family: Lamiaceae (Mint Family) 

Alternate Common Names: American Beebalm, Crimson Beebalm, Oswego Tea, Firecracker Plant, Fragrant Balm, Red Bergamot, Scarlet Beebalm, Scarlet Monarda, Wild Oregano 

Plant description: Bee Balm features square, reddish-brown stems that are slightly hairy and branch occasionally. Along the stem you will find opposite leaves that each measure up to 13cm long and 5cm wide with 2.5cm long leaf stalks. Leaves are ovate to heart shaped with pointed tips, toothed edges and may have a purple/reddish tint to them. Stems are topped with a single cluster of tubular red flowers that measures up to 10cm wide with each individual flower measuring just under 4cm long. Each flower is characterized by an upper lip with two stamens protruding from it and a lower lip that arches downwards. The outer surface of the upper lip is finely hairy. Each flower head is backed by multiple leaf-like bracts that are tinted with red or purple. Each flower produces small, dry, ovoid seeds. 

In the Garden: Reminiscent of jester hats, the vivid scarlet flowers of Bee Balm contrast beautifully with surrounding foliage. Brush up against the leaves and you will notice a pleasant minty smell. The rigid stems and rounded seed heads persist into winter months to provide wonderful textural interest, especially when covered in frost or snow. 

Skill level: beginner 

Lifespan: perennial 

Exposure: full sun to part shade 

Soil Type: well drained sand, clay or loam 

Moisture: medium to wet 

Height: 120 cm 

Spread: 90 cm 

Bloom Period: Jun, Jul, Aug 

Colour: red 

Fragrant (Y/N): no floral scent but foliage is aromatic 

Showy Fruit (Y/N): N 

Cut Flower (Y/N): Y 

Pests: susceptible to powdery mildew (full sun and good air circulation will help) 

Natural Habitat: moist, open woods and meadows and along stream banks 

Wildlife value: Hummingbirds and Swallowtail butterflies are especially attracted to the red flowers. The flowers are of special value for bumblebees and other native bees but the strongly scented leaves and stems are avoided by mammalian herbivores. A small black bee (Dufourea monardae) specializes in the pollination of Monarda flowers. 

Butterfly Larva Host Plant For: none 

Moth Larva Host Plant For: Gray Marvel (Anterastria teratophora), Hermit Sphinx (Sphinx eremitus), Raspberry Pyrausta Moth (Pyrausta signatalis), and Orange Mint Moth (Pyrausta orphisalis) 

USDA Hardiness Zone: 4-7 

Propagation: No treatment needed for seeds to germinate. Store seeds in a cool dry environment for spring sowing. Plants may be propagated by softwood cuttings taken in late spring. Mature clumps of plants can be divided in the spring before they send up stems, although I have had great success dividing the clumps at almost any time of the year – the later the division, though, the less likely you will have blossoms in the first year. 

Additional Info: This species blooms more vigorously if divided in spring or fall every 3-4 years – the very shallow root system is easily lifted and divided. It will spread into a large colony in just a few years if left alone. Although this plant typically has a single flower-head, it is not that uncommon for it to have a “double decker” flower, or on a rare occasion, a “triple decker”. 

Native Range:  

As I write this in mid-May, my Parlin’s Pussytoes are full of blossoms AND full of tiny caterpillars. This early blooming perennial is not as showy as some, but it is a welcome sight with butterflies flitting about laying their eggs on the leaves in early May. These eggs turn into tiny, spiky caterpillars that make a tent out of leaves and silk, eventually molting through several stages and finally turning into American Lady or Painted Lady butterflies.  

These plants make a great garden edge – low enough that even the lawnmower is unlikely to do them much damage. I also love they way they spread their windborne seeds and pop up in unexpected places in my garden.  

As usual, the Plant Description and In the Garden sections are courtesy of Shaun Booth from In Our Nature. 

Scientific Name: Antennaria parlinii 

Common Name: Parlin’s Pussytoes 

Family: Asteraceae (aster family) 

Alternate Common Names: Ladies’ Tobacco, Smooth Pussytoes 

Plant description: Parlin’s Pussytoes feature both basal and alternate leaves. Basal leaves are up to 9.5cm long and 4.5cm wide, toothless and rounded at the tip. The leaves have 3-5 prominent veins and fine hairs that give the leaves a gray-green appearance with the undersides of the leaves taking on a more silvery-gray look. Widely spaced alternate leaves are found along the flowering stalk and are much smaller than the basal leaves but are still hairy with smooth margins. From the basal leaf clumps emerge hairy flowering stalks, each topped by a cluster of small flowers that give the appearance of a cat’s paw. Flowers give way to tiny brown seeds topped with a cotton-like tuft of white hair that allows them to be carried by the wind. 

In the Garden: Parlin’s Pussytoes are an adaptable, low growing groundcover that thrives in tough conditions. 

Skill level: beginner 

Lifespan: perennial 

Exposure: full sun to full shade (prefers full sun) 

Soil Type: lean, gritty to rocky or sandy-clay, well-drained soils 

Moisture: dry to medium 

Height: 15-25 cm 

Spread: 20 cm 

Bloom Period: May 

Colour: white 

Fragrant (Y/N): N 

Showy Fruit (Y/N): N 

Cut Flower (Y/N): Y 

Pests: no serious insect or disease problems 

Natural Habitat: prairies, dry meadows, sloped open woodlands and in disturbed sites like eroded banks or abandoned fields. 

Wildlife Value: the leaves are a preferred food for deer, quail and rabbits. 

Butterfly Larva Host Plant For: American Lady (Vanessa virginiensis), Painted Lady (Vanessa cardui) 

Moth Larva Host Plant For: Everlasting Tebenna Moth (Tebenna gnaphaliella)

USDA Hardiness Zone: 5-9 

Propagation: There is little information available on starting Parlin’s Pussytoes from seed other than that it may be difficult and is slow to germinate. The very small seeds require light to germinate therefore surface sow. New plants may be propagated by dividing clumps in the spring, or from cuttings. My experience is that this plant readily self sows in the garden, so I’m thinking it should be a great candidate for winter sowing.

Additional Info: One of the few native plants that does well in dry, shady locations, it does not do well in fertile, humusy soils, particularly if drainage is poor. This plant is similar to Field Pussytoes (Antennaria neglecta) but the leaves on that plant tend to be narrower and shorter and do not have the prominent veins underneath.

Native Range:  

Scientific Name: Sanguinaria canadensis 

This month’s plant is one of our early emerging spring ephemerals. I always love the cigar-like tube of furled leaves that unfurl after the flower has shown itself. This forest floor species is sure to brighten you shade garden in the spring.

As usual, the Plant Description and In the Garden sections are courtesy of Shaun Booth from In Our Nature.

Family: Papaveraceae (Poppy Family) 

Alternate Common Names: Bloodwort, Indian Paint, Puccoon, Red Puccoon 

Plant Description: Bloodroot only has basal leaves. They measure up to 13 cm wide, are lobed into three to nine parts, and have a deep indent at the base. The leaf edges have shallow, rounded teeth and the leaf surfaces are smooth. Flowers open before the leaves fully unfurl in the spring. A single flower is borne at the top of each naked, 10 cm tall, reddish stem. Each flower measures 7.6 cm wide and is characterized by eight to 16 white petals surrounding numerous yellow stamens. Each flower matures into a long, tapered seed capsule that splits open to release 10 to 15 dark red seeds. 

In the Garden: The early, fleeting beauty of Bloodroot flowers is a springtime show you don’t want to miss! Each delicate flower blooms for only one to two days, but the bold leaves that emerge shortly after will persist well into late summer and make an excellent groundcover. The foliage is not often eaten by herbivores. 

Skill Level: Beginner 

Lifespan: Perennial 

Exposure: Full shade to part shade (during early to midspring, this plant should have access to some sunlight, otherwise the flowers may fail to open) 

Soil Type: Well-drained, humus-rich soils 

Moisture: Medium 

Height: 10–20 cm 

Spread: 7.5–15 cm 

Bloom Period: Apr, May 

Colour: White 

Fragrant (Y/N): Y 

Showy Fruit (Y/N): N 

Cut Flower (Y/N): N 

Pests: No serious insect or disease problems 

Natural Habitat: Rich deciduous woods and forests 

Wildlife Value: Pollen of the flowers attracts various kinds of bees and other insects 

Butterfly Larva Host Plant For: None 

Moth Larva Host Plant For: Southern Armyworm (Spodoptera eridania) and the Tufted Apple Bud Moth (Platynota idaeusalis) 

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8 

Propagation: The most reliable method of propagation is by seed, which have a double dormancy requiring two 30-day periods of cold separated by a 30-day mild period. Seeds must not be allowed to dry out and are best planted immediately following harvest. In nature they take two years to sprout, and some seeds may not sprout for two years even with artificial stratification. Plants can be propagated by rhizome division in either fall or early spring, but wear gloves and wash your hands after handling the roots as the sap is potentially toxic. Bloodroot is a challenge to germinate and grow to maturity. I have had considerable success growing new Bloodroot plants from pieces that break off when being dug in my garden, as long as there is a piece of root still attached. 

Additional Info: Bloodroot seeds are dispersed by ants, which take the seeds back to their nest to consume the energy-rich appendage called the elaiosome before discarding the seed. 

Range Map: 

As I write this in mid-January, I sit and dream about my spring, summer and fall gardens and one of the plants that always brings a smile to my face is my American Spikenard – Aralia racemosa. This large-leaved, shade tolerant plant produces masses of burgundy coloured, edible berries in late summer, early fall that are a favourite of the birds (I find them delicious, too, but the birds usually beat me to them). The plants can get up to 5’ (150 cm) tall, but in ideal conditions can get even bigger. Each fall they die off and re-emerge in the spring like a phoenix. As usual, the Plant Description and In the Garden sections, below, are courtesy of Shaun Booth from In Our Nature.) 

Common Name: Spikenard 

Scientific Name: Aralia racemosa 

Family: Araliaceae (Ginseng Family) 

Alternate Common Names: American Spikenard, Hungry Root, Indian Root, Life of Man, Old Man’s Root, Pettymorrel, Small Spikenard, Spiceberry, Spignet 

Plant Description: The smooth, maroon-coloured stems of Spikenard hold a few large (up to 60 cm long) compound leaves that are made up of many smaller leaflets, each measuring about 14 cm long. Leaflets are heart shaped at the base, sharply toothed, and abruptly taper to a pointed tip. Spikenard often grows wider than it is tall. Large, tapered flower clusters are made up of many tiny, stalked flowers. Individual flowers are under 1 cm across with five triangular petals. Flower stalks are covered in many fine hairs. Flowers give way to dense, hanging clusters of dark-red-to-purple fruit, 0.5 cm in diameter. 

In the Garden: Spikenard is a large, spreading perennial that gives the appearance of a shrub but dies back to the ground every year. It is valued in gardens for its lush leaves, ability to tolerate deep shade and its attractive broad form. The summer flowers bloom at a time when not much else is blooming in shade gardens. The dark red berries look like little jewels but don’t stick around long as they are a favourite food of many songbirds. Excellent as a specimen or in small groups. 

Skill Level: Beginner 

Lifespan: Perennial 

Exposure: Part shade to full shade 

Soil Type: Fertile, humus-rich loams, but tolerates a wide range of soils including rocky and clay ones 

Moisture: Wet to medium 

Height: 90–150 cm 

Spread: 120 cm 

Bloom Period: (Jun), Jul, (Aug) 

Colour: White 

Fragrant (Y/N): Y 

Showy Fruit (Y/N): Y – ripening from mid August to early September (in southern Ontario) 

Cut Flower (Y/N): Y 

Pests: No serious insect or disease problems 

Natural Habitat: Rich, usually moist beech-maple and hemlock-hardwood forests, especially along edges and clearings and in cedar swamps 

Wildlife Value: The berries of Aralia spp. are eaten by woodland songbirds and some small mammals 

Butterfly Larva Host Plant For: None 

Moth Larva Host Plant For: None 

USDA Hardiness Zones: 3–8 

Propagation: Sow seeds immediately or keep moist. Germination is enhanced with scarification, either in a mild sulphuric acid or by rubbing with sandpaper. Cold, moist stratification may help germination, but artificial stratification seems to be hit-and-miss with these seeds. Easiest propagation is to divide old rootstocks when the plants go dormant in the fall, though plants may be slow to bloom after being disturbed. Plants may also be started from root cuttings. 

Additional Info: Plants will slowly spread over time by self-seeding and creeping rhizomes to form thickets. 

Edibility: Although I don’t usually comment on the edibility of garden plants, I will make an exception in this case. The ripe 4-6 mm diameter fruit has a very pleasant taste and can be used to make juice, fruit leathers, jellies, etc. Each berry does contain several seeds, so when you eat them raw (I find them quite delicious) you’ll be spitting out seeds. The root can be used in soups and imparts a spicy, anise-like flavouring (it has been used as a substitute for Wild Sarsaparilla – Aralia nudicaulis – to make root beer) and the young shoot tips can be cooked as a vegetable or used to flavour soups. 

Native Range: native throughout the southern Great Lakes region