New England Asters

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Personally, this one of my favorite native plants! It’s native to central and eastern North America. This stunning perennial is large and quite showy when in bloom. It produces deep pink to purple flowers with orange to yellow centers. They’re highly attractive to a large variety of pollinators. This plant makes a perfect choice if you’re looking for a late season bloomer, particularly the eastern ecotypes. Midwestern ecotypes tend to bloom a bit earlier in the season. This provides as one of the vital nectar sources for migrating Monarchs. Cross pollination from other New England Asters is needed for viable seeds (it may mix with other Aster species as well). In the wild, you may find them in meadow, prairie or open woodland habitats. This is a host plant to the Pearl Crescent butterfly and among others!