New England Aster (symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

New England Aster is a star of the late-season prairie, bursting into bloom just when most of the garden starts to fade. Its large, daisy-like flowers come in vivid shades of purple, lavender, or magenta with sunny golden centers that glow in the low light of early fall. Sturdy, upright stems can reach impressive heights, giving the plant a real architectural presence, while its rich nectar draws in a wide range of late-season pollinators. It’s one of the best plants you can grow for supporting monarch butterflies as they migrate south, and it pairs beautifully with grasses and goldenrods for a truly showstopping autumn display. In our opinion, no Wisconsin garden is complete without it.

In new/still establishing gardens, New England aster is prone to flopping over until it has the support of plants around it and strong root competition. To keep it more compact, we recommend doing the "Chelsea chop": simply cut back the top third to half of the plant’s height in early June. 

Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to part shade
Soil: Medium to moist; tolerant of clay and loam
Height: 3–6 feet
Spread: 2–3 feet
Zones: 3–8
Bloom time: August through October

Wildlife Value
New England Aster is a critical late-season nectar source for monarch butterflies during migration, and also supports many native bees, syrphid flies, and skippers. It is a host plant for the Pearl Crescent butterfly (Phyciodes tharos) and several moth species, including the Wavy-lined Emerald (Synchlora aerata). Its dense, shrubby form also provides cover for overwintering insects.

Blooms Alongside: showy goldenrod (Solidago speciosa), Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans), big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), rough blazing star (Liatris aspera), bottle gentian (Gentiana andrewsii)