New England Aster

Perennial  •  $6, 4-inch pot 

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Height	4 to 7 ft
Spacing	2 ft
Sun Exposure	Full to Part Sun
Soil Moisture	Medium-Dry to Wet
Bloom Color	Purple
Bloom Time	Aug, Sept, Oct
Companion Plantings	Showy Goldenrod, Grass-leaved Goldenrod, Sneezeweed
Special Attributes

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Rich, deep purple flowers cover this branched perennial in the fall and are quite stunning. This is an adaptable plant that can grow in nearly any garden soil (including clay) as long as it has full to part sun. Grow in close proximity to other tall forbs and grasses that will help support the lanky stems; otherwise, this plant may flop by the end of the growing season. Some gardeners will trim this plant around late June/early July to control the height, but be aware that this affects bloom time. The numerous ray flowers (up to 100), clasping leaves, and hairy stems differentiate this plant from other Asters, although there are many in this genus and it is still easy to confuse the individual species.

Many types of bees visit the flowers as the main pollinators, but butterflies and skippers are also drawn to the nectar, including migrating Monarchs making their way south. The yellow centers of the flowers turn crimson with maturity. New England Aster is drought tolerant but the lower leaves may shrivel during extended dry periods, which is normal. Powdery mildew also generally affects this plant, but is non-lethal and doesn’t seem to affect growth. Deer and other mammalian herbivores largely leave this plant alone.

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