Providing an outstanding late season show with its masses of violet or lavender daisy-like flowers, New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) is one of the tallest and most spectacular of the Asters. Native to North America, it is easy to grow, long lived, brings cheerful fall color and is a great source of nectar for butterflies.
- Blooming for many weeks from late summer to late fall, this eye-catching beauty easily enlivens any sunny corner of the garden. Multi-stemmed, most New England Asters form lovely clusters of 1-2 in. blossoms (2.5-5 cm) with rose-purple, lavender or white ray florets and orange-yellow centers, in profusion at the tips of sturdy stems clad with hairy green leaves. On cloudy days or at night, the flowers droop and close. As soon as the sun shines again, they pursue their glorious display and will do so for weeks.
- Fast growing, up to 6 ft. tall (180 cm) and 2-3 ft. wide (60-90 cm). Deer resistant!
- Thrives in full sun or partial shade, in average, medium moisture, well-drained soils. Moist, rich soils are preferred. Provide good air circulation to avoid foliage diseases such as powdery mildew. Drought tolerant!
- Vital ingredient of late summer and fall borders, cottage gardens, prairies or butterfly gardens. New England Asters are also valued for the excellent quality of their cut flowers.
- Asters are a must if you are trying to attract birds or butterflies!
- Pinch back stems before midsummer to promote bushiness, produce a greater number of flowers and to control the plant height (to avoid flopping by the plant). Asters may self-seed if grown in ideal conditions. Cutting back after flowering will prevent undesired self-seeding.
Aster novae-angliae, commonly known as New England Aster, belongs to the Asteraceae family, which also includes yarrows, chrysanthemums, and sunflowers. The Genus Aster contains over 600 species and thousands of hybrid varieties, providing a wide choice to pick from, as they all vary in habit, height, flower color, leaf shape and growing conditions.
