New England Aster, Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (L.) [Aster novae-angliae], Native Minnesota Wildflower plant, Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden

An aster with stout bristly haired stems reaching up to 6 feet high but usually shorter in the Garden. The ray flowers are 3/4" to 1 1/2" wide and can be reddish-purple, rose, violet or sometimes white, with numerous rays, (up to 100). In the Garden both purplish and rose exist. Most of the rose ones are found at the eastern side of the Upland Garden. The leaves are alternate, oblong, mostly entire and clasp the stem tightly. Plants are readily available in the nursery trade for home garden use. In the home garden, these plants can reach seven feet in height. Seed gathered in the fall can be immediately planted, but if held for spring planting it must be cold-stratified. The plant is not invasive but will self seed. Like all asters, this one is susceptible to stem rot if kept too wet. There can also be some leaf mildew if air circulation is not good in damp weather. The species name means "of New England". Botanists have recently re-classified the plant into the genus Symphyotrichum.

	Plants of the Eloise Butler Wildflower Garden
	Common Name	Scientific Name	Plant Family	Garden Location	Prime Season
	New England Aster	Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (L.) Nesom [OLD = Aster novae-angliae]	Aster (Asteraceae)	Upland	Autumn
Other names and notes	An aster with stout bristly haired stems reaching up to 6 feet high but usually shorter in the Garden. The ray flowers are 3/4" to 1 1/2" wide and can be reddish-purple, rose, violet or sometimes white, with numerous rays, (up to 100). In the Garden both purplish and rose exist. Most of the rose ones are found at the eastern side of the Upland Garden. The leaves are alternate, oblong, mostly entire and clasp the stem tightly. Plants are readily available in the nursery trade for home garden use. In the home garden, these plants can reach seven feet in height. Seed gathered in the fall can be immediately planted, but if held for spring planting it must be cold-stratified. The plant is not invasive but will self seed. Like all asters, this one is susceptible to stem rot if kept too wet. There can also be some leaf mildew if air circulation is not good in damp weather. The species name means "of New England". Botanists have recently re-classified the plant into the genus Symphyotrichum.