This offering of New England Aster comes to you by way of small seedlings potted up from our parking lot plantings. This speaks to the resiliency of this plant, which thrives in a variety of growing conditions and is as suited to cottage gardens as it is meadows and other naturalistic plantings. Blooming in an abundance of lavender, purple, and pink during late summer to early fall, this aster provides a smorgasbord for beneficial insects and pollinators.
Growing up to 5’ tall in dense clumps, it is recommended to “Chelsea Chop” this plant in late spring to control its height and encourage sturdier stems. For the budding propagator, this plant is quite easy to produce by division, cutting, and seeds.
Conditions: Full sun to part shade; moist, well-drained soilSize: 2’-5’ tall, 2’-3’ wide
Zone: 4 – 8
Wildlife Value: Flowers support bumblebees, hover flies, and other pollinators, including pollen specialist bees; larval host to dozens of butterfly and moth species
Photos: Samantha Nestory
