The New England aster is a perennial flower that blooms in the fall. It is native to the eastern United States and Canada. The New England aster is a member of the Asteraceae family. The scientific name for the New England aster is Symphyotrichum novae-angliae. The plant grows to be about 2-4 feet tall, but can get up to 6 foot just before the blooms pull the stalks down. The leaves are lance-shaped and the flowers are purple, pink, or white. The New England aster is a popular flower for gardens and landscaping. The plant is easy to grow and is tolerant of a variety of soil types. The New England aster is also resistant to deer and rabbits. The New England aster is a source of food for a variety of animals including bees, butterflies, and birds. The plant is also used in traditional medicine. The New England aster is used to treat a variety of conditions including colds, flu, and bronchitis.

See the article from Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia as well. It’s a stunning plant that starts blooming in late August when the summer garden is starting to look tired. It never fails to evoke conversations from people walking by our garden.

You may also like to read some of the following articles:

• Master Gardeners of Northern Virginia Plant page
• Prairie Nursery’s Plant page