Source: OWSL
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
New England Aster
Aster de Nouvelle-Angleterre
Obsolete Names
Michaelmas daisy
aster de la Nouvelle-Angleterre
Seeds available at table Mixed Sun, Medium
We currently accept seeds for this plant
Bloom colour: Purple
Bloom period: Aug - Sep
Max Height: 5.0 feet
Max Width: 3.0 feet (spreads by rhizome)
Light condition:
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Soil conditions:
Tolerates medium soil condition
More than 6 hours of direct sun a day
More than 2 or 3 hours but less than 6 hours of direct sun a day
Tolerates medium soil condition
Lifespan:
Perennial
plants that will that come back year after year
Gardener Experience:
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Suitable for beginner gardeners
Does not spread uncontrollably
Easy to germinate
Self-seeding
Landscape uses:
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Suitable for rock gardens
Suitable for rain gardens
Suitable for shoreline rehabilitation
Suitable for container garden
Suitable for school gardens
Tolerates boulevard garden conditions
Ecological Benefits:
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Butterfly host
Keystone species
Supports birds
Supports pollinators
Butterfly host
Keystone species
Tolerates:
Tolerates salt conditions
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Tolerates salt conditions
Tolerates limestone conditions
Tolerates acidic soil conditions
Tolerates juglone conditions
Tolerates transplantation
Special Features and Considerations:
This plant causes skin rashes
This plant causes skin rashes
Plant Location
Native to Ottawa region: Yes
Thrives in Ecozones
- Atlantic Maritime
- Prairies
- Boreal Shield
- Mixed Wood Plains
Ecological Benefits
Butterflies Supported by Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
- Cucullia convexipennis (Brown Hooded Owlet)
- Eupithecia miserulata (American Common Pug)
- Euplexia benesimilis (American Angle Shades)
- Leuconycta diphteroides (Green Leuconycta)
- Phyciodes cocyta (Northern Crescent)
- Trichordestra legitima (Striped Garden Caterpillar)
Specialized Bees Supported by Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
- Andrena aliciae
- Andrena asteris
- Andrena canadensis
- Andrena chromotricha
- Andrena hirticincta
- Andrena nubecula
- Andrena placata
- Andrena simplex
- Complexe Colletes americanus
- Complexe Colletes compactus
- Complexe Colletes simulans
- Dianthidium simile
- Melissodes agilis
- Melissodes druriellus
- Melissodes illatus
- Melissodes subillatus
- Melissodes trinodis
- Protandrena andrenoides
- Pseudopanurgus aestivalis
Plants that grow in similar conditions, that bloom at the same time.
Complementary Plants
- Helianthus giganteus
Giant Sunflower
Hélianthe géant - Lobelia spicata
Pale-spike Lobelia
Lobélie à épi - Solidago rigida
Stiff Goldenrod
Verge d'or rigide - Sorghastrum nutans
Yellow False-sorghum
Faux-sorgho penché - Teucrium canadense
Canada Germander
Germandrée du Canada
Substitute For Non-Native Plants
- Chrysanthemum (Mums)
- Rosa (Non-native Roses)
- Helianthus (Non-Native Sunflower)
- NA (Black Eyed Susan's Cultivars)
- Rudbeckia Triloba (Brown Eyed Susan's)
- Echinacea (Coneflowers)
- NA (Coreopsis cultivars)
- Helianthus).1 (Non-Native Sunflower)
- NA (Non-Native False Sunflower)
- Symphiotrichum (Non-Native Aster)
- Melilotus albus) (Sweet White Clover)
- Hesperis matronalis (Dame Rocket)
Sowing Information
Download Sowing Label (PDF)
- Sowing depth: Surface sow
- Sow by February
- Stratification conditions: Cold moist stratify
- Stratification duration: 60 days
- Self-seeding
Harvesting and Seed Sharing
- Harvest start month: October
- Harvesting indicator: Seeds have become fluffy and can be easily removed by shaking on gently pulling off from stem
- Harvesting mean: Shake seed head in paper bag
- Seed viability test: No test needed before donating
- Packaging measure: 1 rounded 1/4 teaspoon
- Seed storage: Air dry in paper bag or open container, for a few days until crisp, shaking seeds to move them once in a while to prevent molding
- At least one cultivar: Yes, do not donate unless you know source, and there are no known cultivars in your garden or at proximity
- No harvesting video available at this time.
Toxicity Notes
Not known to be toxic to mammals if ingested.