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Garden mum and White wood aster: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Garden mum Chrysanthemum × morifolium	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE White wood aster Eurybia divaricata
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Garden hybrid of Chinese species	Eastern Canada and the eastern United StatesSee state guides
Sunlight
Full sun	Shade
Soil moisture
Moist, well-drained soil	Dry soil / Average moisture
Mature height
1–3 ft	1–3 ft
Mature spread
1–2 ft	1½–2½ ft
USDA hardiness zones
5–9	3–8
Season of interest
Fall	Late summer–fall
Garden & wildlife value
Flowers can attract butterflies.	Late flowers feed bees and butterflies, and seeds support birds into the colder months.
Growing notes
Forms a flowering mound. Cultivars vary widely in flower shape, color, and winter survival.	A spreading woodland perennial that tolerates dry shade; some dappled light improves flowering. Give its rhizomes room.
Growing information	Growing information New England range: Native Plant Trust

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.