Culture: Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soil in full sun. Prefers moist, rich soils. Good air circulation helps reduce incidence of foliar diseases. Pinching back stems several times before mid-July will help control plant height, promote bushiness and perhaps obviate the need for staking. Pinching back will also delay flowering. Easily grown from seed and may self-seed in the garden in optimum growing conditions. Plants may be cut to the ground after flowering to prevent any unwanted self-seeding and/or if foliage has become unsightly.
Noteworthy Characteristics: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, commonly called New England aster, is a native perennial which occurs in moist prairies, meadows, thickets, low valleys and stream banks (Steyermark) throughout the State. It is a stout, leafy plant typically growing 3-6′ tall with a robust, upright habit. Features a profuse bloom of daisy-like asters (to 1.5″ diameter) with purple rays and yellow centers from late summer to early fall. Rough, hairy, lance-shaped leaves (to 4″ long) clasp stiff, hairy stems. Flowers are attractive to butterflies.
Genus name comes from the Greek symph meaning coming together and trich meaning hair in possible reference to the flower anthers. Specific epithet means of New England, USA.
Problems: Some susceptibility to powdery mildew. Aster wilt can also be an occasional problem, particularly if plants are grown in poorly-drained clay soils. Taller plants may require staking or other support.
Garden Uses: Provides color and contrast to the fall perennial border front. Mass or plant in groups. Also effective naturalized in drifts in meadows or in native or wildflower gardens.
All plant information courtesy of the Missouri Botanical Garden
New England Aster is a late bloomer like most Asters. Maturing to 5′ tall, it is rich with purple flowers with orange-yellow centers from late summer to October. Popular with pollinators, it thrives in full sun or light shade in all but the driest soils. Before New England Aster blooms, it is easy to identify the plant because of the hairy stem and leaves that clasp the stem in a distinctive manner, nearly encircling it (see photo).
The colors of the New England Aster can vary from purple, violet, and lavender to all shades of pink. Bees and butterflies are attracted to it, and the nectar of the flower provides an excellent source for Monarchs and other butterflies late into the fall. New England Aster is drought-tolerant. When the plant is blooming, the lower leaves can often dry up causing some to think the plant is dying or has disease. This is normal, so don’t be alarmed. Capable of reaching great heights, prune this plant back early in the season to encourage bushy, rather than tall, growth.
On many sites Asters can be prolific self seeders. New England Aster in particular does well in a broad range of soil conditions, so on small sites or in home garden/landscapes removal of the seed head before the seed is ripe is preferable to weeding unwanted seedlings. Species in the genus Symphyotrichum serve as host plants to dozens of moths including the Wavy-Lined Emerald. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae is also called Aster novae-angliae.
Price range: $6.00 through $12.00
