I’ve noticed some people seem to be afraid of tall perennials. I think these people have not yet met New England Aster.
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae – even the Latin is beautiful. Symph, according to the ancients, means coming together, and novae-angliae translates to New England. I think of it as the flower uniting New England.
This plant makes a statement! Vibrant purples and pinks blooming one after the other atop 6-foot, fuzzy stems. It’s a late-summer bloomer but once in flower pulls in bees and other flying things and provides nectar to hungry Monarch butterflies.
Bonus: It is a larval host to the Checkerspot and Pearl Crescent butterflies.
New England Aster performs best in sunny, moist spots and often will continue blooming until the first frost. It self seeds, spreads a bit and can be cut to the ground after flowering to promote strong new growth the following year.
☺ Fun Fact: Native Americans smoked the roots of New England Aster to attract game and made a tea from the dried roots and leaves to alleviate fevers.
About the author:
Jennifer Anderson owns Tree Talk Natives, a native tree and plant nursery in Rochester, Mass. A former news reporter, she loves to talk native plants and can be reached at jennifer@treetalknatives.com.
Sources
New England Aster, Cornell Botanical Gardens
New England Aster, Illinois Wildflowers
New England Aster, Michigan State University Extension
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae Jersey Friendly Yards
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, Wikipedia
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