Growing Guide
 
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Aster, New England

Herbaceous Perennial Flower, Wildflower

Aster novi-angliae
Asteraceae Family

This tall native wildflower brings a riot of fall flower color to North American roadsides. Growing up to 6 feet tall, it makes a great back-of-the-border plant. Blooms range from pale pink to bold purple.

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Site Characteristics
Sunlight:
  • full sun
  • part shade
Prefers full sun.

Soil conditions:

  • requires well-drained soil

Hardiness zones:

  • 4 to 8
Plant Traits

Lifecycle: perennial

Ease-of-care: easy

Height: 3 to 6 feet

Spread: 2 to 4 feet

Bloom time:

  • late summer
  • early fall

Flower color:

  • red
  • blue
  • indigo
  • violet
  • white
  • pink

Depends on variety.

Foliage color:

  • medium green
  • gray-green

Mid-green to gray-green and hairy.

Foliage texture: medium

Shape: upright

Plants are upright but loose and open.

Shape in flower: flower stalks with upright spikes

Flowers borne above the foliage.

Special Considerations
Special characteristics:
  • non-aggressive - May self-seed some under optimal conditions.
  • non-invasive
  • native to North America - Native to eastern and central U.S.
Special uses:
  • cut flowers - Last longer in water than New York asters (A. novi belgi).
  • wildflowers
  • naturalistic garden
Growing Information
How to plant:

Propagate by seed, division or separation - May self-seed. Divide in spring.

Maintenance and care:
Usually requires staking, especially taller varieties.

Pinch early in the season to produce shorter, bushier, sturdier plants that may not need staking.

Cut plants back after flowering to avoid self-seeding or if foliage is unsightly.

More growing information: How to Grow Perennials

Pests:
Powdery mildew occasionally. Provide good air circulation.

Aster wilt on poorly drained clay soil.

Varieties
‘Alma Potschke’ produces 3.5-foot-tall plants with vivid pink blooms.

‘Barr’s Pink’ has rose-colored, semi-double flowers on 3.5-foot-tall plants.

‘Harrington’s Pink’ has pink blooms on 4-foot-tall plants.

‘Hella Lacy’ produces 3- to 4-foot-tall plants with deep purple blooms.

‘Honeysong Pink’ has bright pink blooms with yellow centers on 3.5-foot-tall plants.

‘Purple Dome’ is a 1.5-foot-tall dwarf with purple blooms.

‘Red Star’ is a 1- to 1.5-foot-tall dwarf with deep rosy red blooms.

‘September Beauty’ has deep red blooms on 3.5-foot-tall plants.

‘September Ruby’ has deep rosy red blooms on 3- to 4-foot-tall plants.

‘Treasurer’ has purple-blue blooms on 4-foot-tall plants.

'Lyle End Beauty' has purplish-red flowers on 4- to 5-foot-tall plants.