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Symphyotrichum novi-belgii

Previously known as:

  • Aster novi-belgii
Phonetic Spelling
sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum NO-vee BEL-gee-eye
Description

New York Aster is a native herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae family that may grow 3 to 5 feet high. It is found growing in slightly brackish and tidal fresh marshes, occasionally borders of salt marshes and inland marshes, shrub marshes, shores and other moist areas. This plant requires well-drained soil and prefers sandy, loamy and clay soils. It can grow on nutritionally poor soil, in semi-shade or no shade but prefers a sunny location. Our NC native representatives of this species are classified as Symphyotrichum novi-belgii var. elodes.

Its low growing habit and fall bloom works well as an edging plant in the front of borders, or in rock gardens or butterfly gardens. It works well with or a substitute for chrysanthemums.

Quick ID Hints:

  • Numerous heads of purplish flowers
  • Ray flowers conspicuous, violaceous; disc yellow
  • Leaves narrow, auriculate clasping

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems but has some susceptibility to powdery mildew.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Coombe Violet'
    Violet semi-double flowers
  • 'Fellowship'
    Pale pink double flowers
  • 'Peter Harrison'
    Dwarf with pink flowers
  • 'Royal Ruby'
    Rich mulberry red flowers
'Coombe Violet', 'Fellowship', 'Peter Harrison', 'Royal Ruby'
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#nectar plant#native bees#small mammals#specialized bees#edging#fire medium flammability#NC native#native garden#rock garden#border planting#pollinator plant#native wildflower#fantz#larval host plant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#stormwater demo garden orange co#perennial#food source winter#wildflower#herb garden#wildlife friendly#cpp
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Coombe Violet'
    Violet semi-double flowers
  • 'Fellowship'
    Pale pink double flowers
  • 'Peter Harrison'
    Dwarf with pink flowers
  • 'Royal Ruby'
    Rich mulberry red flowers
'Coombe Violet', 'Fellowship', 'Peter Harrison', 'Royal Ruby'
Tags:
#purple#showy flowers#nectar plant#native bees#small mammals#specialized bees#edging#fire medium flammability#NC native#native garden#rock garden#border planting#pollinator plant#native wildflower#fantz#larval host plant#bird friendly#butterfly friendly#bee friendly#stormwater demo garden orange co#perennial#food source winter#wildflower#herb garden#wildlife friendly#cpp
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Symphyotrichum
    Species:
    novi-belgii
    Family:
    Asteraceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    E. Canada to NE. U.S.A.
    Distribution:
    New York aster ranges from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia south to Georgia to Alabama, chiefly near the coast
    Fire Risk Rating:
    medium flammability
    Wildlife Value:
    Host plant for the Pearl Crescent butterfly. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. Songbirds and small mammals eat the seeds. Members of the genus Symphyotrichum support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteroides, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) placata, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, and Colletes simulans.
    Play Value:
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Moderate deer resistance.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Native Plant
    Wildflower
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Cascading
    Erect
    Maintenance:
    Low
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    Clay
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Available Space To Plant:
    12 inches-3 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Fall
    Winter
    Fruit Type:
    Achene
    Fruit Description:
    This wildflower produces a dry seed (achene) that matures in late fall. with a tuft of hairs (pappus)
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Pink
    Purple/Lavender
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Head
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Flower Shape:
    Radial
    Flower Petals:
    more than 20 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    Numerous purple to pink ray flowers surrounds a yellow-orange center of disc flowers that mature in late summer to early fall. They are produced in terminal heads and are up to 2 inches across. Bracts overlap at base of the flower
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Auriculate
    Lanceolate
    Oblanceolate
    Leaf Margin:
    Entire
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    3-6 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The simple leaves are alternate with a smooth margin, sessile and clasping to the stem. The shape is lanceolate to oblanceolate with an acute tip, auriculate to subcordate base, and hispidulous (short stiff hairs) above to soft-pubescent below. 4-6 inches long by 1-1.5 inches wide
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Surface:
    Hairy (pubescent)
    Stem Description:
    Reddish stem with fine hairs
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Lawn
    Meadow
    Naturalized Area
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Rock Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Attracts:
    Bees
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Specialized Bees
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Deer
    Diseases
    Insect Pests