New England asters produce late-summer and autumn flowers that attract bees and butterflies, making the perennial a seasonal presence in both meadows and gardens. Native Plant Trust records the species in all six New England states.
Writing in The Berkshire Eagle October 1, Bill Danielson described asters growing beside his meadow observation spot. He noted that their flowers were curled in the cold early morning and opened as they warmed in sunlight.
The plant's current scientific name is Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, though older references use Aster novae-angliae. North Carolina State Extension identifies it as a member of the daisy family native to eastern North America, found in meadows and along stream banks.
What appears to be one flower is a collection of smaller flowers. Purple ray flowers surround yellow disc flowers in the center, according to the extension's plant guide. The guide lists blooming from August through October and notes that garden cultivars vary in height and flower color.
For gardeners, space and moisture matter. The extension recommends full sun and moist, fertile, well-drained soil. Plants can reach 3 to 6 feet tall, and taller specimens may need staking. Good airflow helps limit leaf diseases, including powdery mildew.
The leaves and stems can help distinguish the plant from other asters. Cornell Botanic Gardens describes clustered, hairy stems and leaves that clasp the stem. The upper leaf surface has stiff hairs, with softer hairs underneath. Identifying the whole plant is more useful than relying on flower color alone.
The flowers also supply nectar for migrating monarch butterflies, according to the extension. Cornell Botanic Gardens identifies the plant as a host for pearl crescent butterfly larvae. Native Plant Trust lists fields and roadsides among its habitats, so the species is worth looking for beyond planted garden beds.
Cornell also records visits from bumble bees and leafcutter bees. The specialist mining bee Andrena simplex collects pollen from New England asters and related plants in the daisy family. That relationship adds a more specific example of the plant's role in supporting insects.
After flowering, the plant develops seeds with hairs that aid wind dispersal, according to the extension guide. Danielson described the fading flowers becoming rounded, downy seed heads in his column. That change gives meadow watchers another stage to observe after the purple flowers have passed.
Updated October 2: This article has been expanded with additional sourced context.
Sources:
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-novae-angliae/
https://gobotany.nativeplanttrust.org/species/symphyotrichum/novae-angliae/