Featured Plant

New England Aster

Scientific Name: aster novae-angliae
Family: Aster (Asteraceae)
Plant Type: Perennial forb
Size: From 1 up to 5 feet tall
Common Habitat: medium to wet prairies, woods, lake shores
Blooms: Aug. to Oct.

The New England Aster adds a touch of blush to the fall landscape with its pink and purple flowers. This fast-growing flower, which was historically used to cure skin rashes such as poison ivy, has flower heads that are one to two inches across. It has oblong leaves that run the length of the stem. The plant can reach a height of one to five feet tall with clusters of 45 to 100 flowers near the top. Each flower has a yellow center.

The New England Aster is a hardy plant that grows in prairies, woods, lake shores, pastures and along roadsides. It grows best is moist soil with full sunlight. However, it has been known to do well in some dry areas due to its adaptable nature.