The New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae) lights up the late season landscape. The bloom color can be shades of pink, violet, purple, or lavender. Large and showy, they can grow up to six feet high.

The flowers are an important source of nectar for late season pollinators, especially Monarch butterflies as they stock up for their fall migration to Mexico.

The deer resistant native prefers moist, rich soils, but is easily grown in a broad range of conditions, thriving in full sun or light shade in all but the driest soils.

When the New England Aster blooms, the lower leaves usually dry up. The main stem can be cut back by half in mid-summer to encourage a bushier growth.

Bees and butterflies are frequent visitors to this pollinator favorite.