Symphyotrichum novae-angliae / New England Aster / New England Aster

Help monarchs stock up on calories for their trip south with my fall-blooming favorite, the New England aster. Bees love these large, purple flowers with yellow centers. These showy asters like rich soil and sun to part sun, but I find them surprisingly undemanding.

Host plant for the Pearly Crescent, the Gorgon Checkerspot butterfly and the Northern Flower moth.

Tall flowers, 3' - 5' ft (100 to 150 cm) but the stems are sturdy and do not seem to need staking until late in the season. Naturally occurring in moist areas.

Cultivation: Sow in open ground in autumn. Press gently to ensure contact with the soil. Or, cold stratification necessary.

Cover lightly in pots. Keep moist and warm for germination indoors. Prick out when seedlings are at least 2 inches tall, spacing 12 inches apart.

Sun, Part Sun, Host, Nectar, Fall, Bees, Butterflies

125+ seeds per pack / 2400 seeds per gram