New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)
The New England Aster is a perennial wildflower native to Wisconsin that brings vibrant color and ecological vitality to late-season landscapes. Growing one to four feet tall, it features stout stems densely lined with hairy leaves. At the top of these stems bloom profuse clusters of showy flowers, each up to one and a half inches in diameter. The blossoms range in color from pink/rose to purple, all centered with vivid yellow disks that attract a wide array of pollinators.
This aster thrives in part shade and prefers moist environments, making it well-suited to open woodlands, meadows, mesic prairies, disturbed sites, and stream banks. Its adaptability and late bloom time—from August through October—make it a critical nectar source for bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects when fewer other native plants are flowering. Monarchs in particular are drawn to its rich nectar. (SF)