The New England Aster is a large native, perennial wildflower that grows one to four feet tall. It has hairy leaves that are arranged densely on stout stems. It has showy, bright lavender, blue, or white flowers with yellow centers that bloom in profusion at the tops of leafy branches. Its flowers grow to 1-1/2 inches in diameter. It grows best in part shade in moist, open woodlands, meadows, mesic prairies, disturbed sites, and stream banks. (SF)