New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

1/2-pint plug Light: Full Sun - Partial SunSoil: Wet - Medium DryHeight: 5 FeetBloom: August-September Description: New England Aster is a late bloomer like most asters. Maturing to 5' tall, it is rich with purple flowers with orange-yellow centers from late summer to October. Can be aggressive and floppy in small spaces. When the plant is blooming, the lower leaves can often dry up causing some to think the plant is dying or has disease. This is normal, so don't be alarmed.  Capable of reaching great heights, prune this plant back early in the season to encourage bushy, rather than tall, growth. Popular with pollinators, it thrives in full sun or light shade in all but the driest soils. Before New England Aster blooms, it is easy to identify the plant because of the hairy stem and leaves that clasp the stem in a distinctive manner, nearly encircling it. The colors of the New England Aster can vary from purple, violet, and lavender to all shades of pink. Bees and butterflies are attrac