What is it? New England Aster, also known as Symphyotrichum novae-angliae is a perennial, herbaceous species of flowering plant in the aster family (Asteraceae).
Native to where? It is native to central and eastern North America.
Hardiness Zone: Plants are hardy from USDA Hardiness Zones 4 to 8.
What does it look like? It is a plant usually between 1 and 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 ft wide. The flowers have up to 100 ray florets and are usually deep purple; rarely pink or white. These surround the flower centers which are composed of just as many tiny yellow disk florets. The plant grows naturally in clumps, with several erect stems emerging from a single point. The stems are stout, hairy, and mostly unbranched.
Bloom time: It blooms from August through October.
Growth Habit: Tends to spread seeds and populate new spaces.
Growing conditions: It prefers full to partial sun. New England Aster generally grows in medium to wet soils of clay, loam, or sand. Plants should be spaced from 1 foot to 18 inches apart.
Environmental benefits: The flowers are important to birds, bees, and butterflies.
Sources:
https://www.prairienursery.com/new-england-aster-aster-novae-angliae.html
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Symphyotrichum_novae-angliae
Image Source:
By The Cosmonaut - Own work, CC BY-SA 2.5 ca, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=98381010
By Niepokój Zbigniew - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=79092951