Summary ²

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae (formerly Aster novae-angliae), the New England aster, hairy Michaelmas-daisy, or Michaelmas daisy, is a species of flowering plant in the family Asteraceae. It is a perennial, herbaceous plant native to eastern North America, and has been introduced to Europe. The seeds and nectar of this fall-flowering species are important to a wide variety of animals.

Description ³

Family:
Asteraceae (Aster)

Height:
3 to 7 feet

Leaves:
Leaves are rough in texture, lance-shaped (up to 4” long), and clasp around the main stem. Leaves may be densely packed near the top of the stem.

Flower:
Many violet-colored flowers (1-2” across), each with 40-100 narrow petals, emerge from the top of the stem in clusters.

Bloom time:
August-October

Nicknames:
Frost Flower

Habitat:
New England Aster grows best in partial to full sun, in moist to well-drained, loamy or clay soils. It is commonly found in wet meadows, wet or mesic prairies, in woodland edges, along roadsides, and in other disturbed areas.

Wildlife Benefits:
Attractive to bees and butterflies. Provides cover for waterfowl. Seeds and foliage are a food source for birds and small mammals. Several species of insects rely on its foliage as a food source.

Can I plant this in my garden?
This plant is widely cultivated and is easy to grow in moist, sunny areas, but may spread aggressively. Without physical support, its stems may collapse under its own weight, so it is best planted near walls, fences, or other plants. It is also susceptible to heat stress, and its leaves may turn yellow-brown or fall off during the hottest months.

References
https://www.minnesotawildflowers.info/flower/new-england-aster
https://www.illinoiswildflowers.info/prairie/plantx/ne_asterx.htm
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/symphyotrichum-novae-angliae/

Range ³

Sources and Credits

1. (c) Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, all rights reserved, uploaded by Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District
2. Adapted by Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphyotrichum_novae-angliae
3. (c) Ramsey-Washington Metro Watershed District, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

• iNat taxon page
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• eFloras.org
• Flora of North America (beta)
• Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF)
• Go Botany
• HOSTS - a Database of the World's Lepidopteran Hostplants
• IPNI (with links to POWO, WFO, and BHL)
• Maryland Biodiversity Project
• NatureServe Explorer 2.0
• NBN Atlas
• New Zealand Plant Conservation Network
• OregonFlora.org
• SEINet Symbiota portals
• Tropicos
• USDA PLANTS database
• VASCAN by Canadensys
• World Flora Online
• 日本のレッドデータ検索システム
• 植物和名−学名インデックス YList

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