New England Aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Other plants called New England Aster:
Previously known as:
- Aster novae-angliae
- Phonetic Spelling
- sim-fy-oh-TRY-kum NO-vee ANG-lee-a
- Description
-
New England Aster is a herbaceous perennial that may grow 3 to 7 feet tall. The leaves are alternate, rough, and hairy. The leaves have a smooth margin. The stem is fuzzy. Large, purple flowers with a yellow center mature from August to October. The herb produces a dry seed (achene) that matures in the late fall.
Showy deep pink-purple flowers are attractive to wildlife including bees and butterflies and also make great cut flowers for arrangements. Tolerates clay soil and makes a great addition to a rain garden. Plants can be cut to the ground after flowering to promote strong new growth. Good air circulation will help prevent foliar diseases.
Fire Risk: This plant has a medium flammability rating.
Seasons of Interest:
Blooms: Late Summer/Fall; Fruit/Seed/Nut: Late Fall/Winter
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Pinehurst Greenway Pollinator Habitat Garden, Moore County HOA Butterfly Garden in Brunswick County
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Purple Dome'
Grows only 2 foot tall with many purple flowers - September Ruby'
Large ruby-re flowers with yellow centers
- 'Purple Dome'
- 'Purple Dome', September Ruby'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Purple Dome'
Grows only 2 foot tall with many purple flowers - September Ruby'
Large ruby-re flowers with yellow centers
- 'Purple Dome'
- 'Purple Dome', September Ruby'
- Tags:
-
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Symphyotrichum
- Species:
- novae-angliae
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Fire Risk Rating:
- medium flammability
- Wildlife Value:
- Host plant for the Pearl Crescent (Phyciodes tharos) caterpillars which have several broods and appear from April through November in the north and throughout the year in the deep south and Mexico. Flower nectars are attractive to bees, hover flies,ne and migrating Monarch 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:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Moderate deer resistance.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 7 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Native Plant
- Wildflower
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Maintenance:
- Medium
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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
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- The herb produces a dry seed (achene) that displays from October to November.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Description:
- Large, purple flowers with a yellow center mature from August to October.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Velvety
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, rough, and hairy. The leaves have a smooth margin.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stem is fuzzy.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
