October Native Plant Spotlight
This month, our native plant spotlight features a blooming species that lasts well into the fall season. The New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is an herbaceous perennial that is commonly found in all parts of Ohio and offers a beautiful pop of purple whilst the landscape is transitioning into shades of red, orange, and yellow.
Interestingly enough, last month’s native plant was another species in the aster family and fun fact: The Asteraceae family, which encompasses notable flowers like asters, daisies, and sunflowers, is the biggest plant family in Ohio, the United States, and globally!
New England Asters can grow fairly large, averaging anywhere from 5 to 7 feet in height depending on their environmental conditions. They have an alternative leaf structure, however they lack petioles and instead their thin, smooth-margined leaves clasp around the hairy, main stem of the plant. Many species of aster also have unique stems that may turn purple-brown as they reach maturity.
The flower heads on New England Asters typically grow anywhere from 1 to 2 inches wide and may be distinguishable by the increased number of rays present when compared to other species in the family. This species can have upwards of 45 rays surrounding the yellow disk at its center.
Typically, this species grows into an upright cluster. Each central stem will have a cluster of flowers branching from it, sometimes over a dozen on a single stalk. You can find them growing naturally along riparian areas, wet meadows, prairies, and thickets. They do best in areas with full sun and moist but well drained soils, although they are adaptable and can be tolerant of drier soils and partial sun. They are perfect for rain gardens, pollinator gardens, butterfly gardens, or restoring native prairie and meadow areas.
The New England Aster supports a wide variety of pollinators, including bees, birds, butterflies, and various other insects. They serve as a source of food and nectar for pollinators and migrating butterflies in fall. Asters in particular are host plants for larval species of crescent and checkerspot butterflies and Canadian conia moths, as well as specialist species of miner bees.
When looking to establish this species in your garden or a natural area, keep in mind that they require a cold stratification period in order to germinate. You can either sow the seeds directly into the ground in fall before the first frost or cold stratify them in your refrigerator before planting into the ground in spring. The seeds are ready to be harvested when the plant has turned brown and the seed head is a cluster of tan tufts that are attached to the seeds.
New England Aster’s are not self-fertilizing, so if you are looking to improve pollination rates, consider planting at least a couple plants nearby. Regardless, this species will readily self-seed in the fall or the plant can be propagated by division in early spring. To achieve bushier growth, cut off the tips of the plant during its growing period in spring.
