Aster novae-angliae #2 (New England Aster)

New England Aster is one of the showiest and most recognizable of our native asters. It bursts into bloom in late August in meadows, prairies, along roadsides and disturbed areas, and in old fields undergoing natural succession. The vibrant purple to pinkish flowers seem to glow, especially alongside its best friend, the goldenrods. This is a tall aster, often growing to a height of 6′ and losing its lower foliage in favor of its spectacular blooms. If it is planted in a high visibility area and a smaller, more compact size that does not require staking is desired, then the plants can be cut back by half in mid June. This will produce bushier, sturdier plants with more branching. It is best to plan to hide the lower foliage behind or within other plants, as it can detract from the beauty of the flowers in fall.

This species can become aggressive in its rhizomatous spread in favorable conditions. Its vigor can be an asset when trying to fill large areas, for naturalizing and for drifting through meadows and prairie plantings. It is also a prolific self-seeder in optimal growing conditions. The contrast of the purple flowers with the yellows of fall-blooming goldenrods and the colorful foliage of Big Bluestem, Switchgrass and Indian Grass make for a breathtaking late-season showstopper. The height and competitive nature of these other prairie species helps maintain a balance of diversity and to keep everything upright. For smaller gardens, a cultivar of this species called ‘Purple Dome‘ is more manageable, shorter in stature, and easier to hide the unsightly foliage of late summer.

Asters provide an invaluable source of late-season nectar and pollen for a myriad of insect pollinators. Butterflies flock to the flowers, often hanging from them like delicate ornaments. Many granivorous birds, such as juncos and goldfinches, will eat the seeds through the winter months. Asters are also larval host plants of many Lepidoptera, including the cartoonish-looking Saddleback Caterpillar and the familiar and loveable Woolly Bear caterpillar, which turns into the Isabella Tiger Moth. The caterpillars of the tiny Pearl Crescent and the Silvery Checkerspot butterflies overwinter on or near the base of the plants and emerge in the spring. Elusive but captivating Fork-tailed Katydids, Short-Winged Katydids and Blatchley’s Walkingsticks are also attracted to these Asters.

Sources:
Growing and Propagating Wildflowers by William Cullina
Herbaceous Perennial Plants by Allan M. Armitage
Eastern/Central Medicinal Plants and Herbs by Steven Foster and James A. Duke
Missouri Botanical Garden
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Illinois Wildflowers
The Morton Arboretum-Black Walnut Tolerance

Photo Credits:
Mature Individual: Keith Seifert, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons