Prefers sun to part shade, medium to wet soils, grows to  2-5', and blooms late fall, with showy pink to purple flowers. A common flower to see blooming along roadsides in fall. Very easy to grow, spreads readily by seed, great for naturalizing and filling in where invasive species have been removed. Can be cut back in June or July for a shorter, bushier plant.

Is a host to the Asteroid paint owlet larva (Cucullia asteroides) as well as the well known woolly bear caterpillar (isabella tiger moth Pyrrharctia isabella). Many pollinators feed on the nectar. A great late season nectar source for migrating monarch butterflies (Danaus plexippus). Birds enjoy eating the seeds.

I love New England aster because it is a prolific bloomer and the flowers range in color from lavender-purple to a striking magenta pink. It adds beautiful, late season color that contrasts nicely with the yellow goldenrods blooming at the same time. We have several individuals on our property and it is always delightful to see how much their flowers differ in color.