Symphyotrichum (Aster) novae-angliae (New England Aster)

Aster novae-angliae (syn. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is a tall, upright, native perennial wildflower with small, purple flowers. Also called New England aster, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae is a late season aster, and provides color to the garden and food for pollinators from late summer well into October with its thready, purple flowers. Growing to 3-6' tall, New England aster can be pinched back through the early summer to maintain a lower profile.

Capable of self-seeding as well as occasionally aggressive rhizomatic growth, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae can be cut back to the base in the fall and separated every few years to maintain healthy growth and reduce the plant's tendency to become weedy. New England aster prefers moist but not wet, full sun locations, and works great as a feature of pollinator gardens and border plantings, as well as naturalizing in open meadow conditions. Thick rhizomatic roots means that Symphyotrichum novae-angliae can also be used in rain gardens and erosion control, provided that the ground is not wet for too much of the year.