The heart-leaved aster is native to the eastern United States.  It is typically found in rich, moist soils in open woodlands and clearings.  Aster cordifolius grows well in full sun to partial shade. The flower blooms in early fall during the months of August through October.  Aster cordifolius has smooth, branched, upright stems that range from about 1 to 4 feet tall.  The leaves are sharply toothed.  The lower leaves are heart-shaped and the upper ones are smaller and more ovate (egg like).  The flower heads are small and grow in dense clusters.  The rays range from dark blue to pale-blue, violet, or white with yellow centers.

The heart-leaved aster attracts butterflies and has showy flowers.  These plants grow wild but they can be planted as well and are relatively easy to maintain. If you pinch back stems several times before mid-July it will help control plant height, promote bushiness and perhaps avoid the need for stalking.  To prevent unwanted self-seeding and/or if foliar disease is unattractive (a lot of brown spots seen on the leaves), you can cut the plants to the ground after flowering.  Good air circulation also helps reduce this disease.