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Picture
Picture
The bright pink flowers of 'Alma Potschke'

New England aster

Botanical Name: Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
Plant Family: Aster (Asteraceae)

Description: Large, showy aster, often exceeding more than 6 feet in height.  Showy flowers vary from lavender to blue to white with orange-yellow centers and bloom in abundance from tips of branches.  Leaves are hairy and densely arranged on stems. The pink cultivar 'Alma Potschke' has been used in our demonstration garden, though the purple species is most common.

Growing Conditions:  Prefers part sun and moist soils, found in wooded areas, stream banks, or meadows . Can be aggressive.  Its roots should be divided every couple of years to maintain vigor. Will flower until frost.

Bloom Time: Late, Aug - October
Bloom Color: Purple to blue to white

Benefit to pollinators/wildlife: All asters are an important late season nectar source.  Larval host to the Pearl Crescent.

Native Status: US native, PA native

Location in habitat: Pollinator Demonstration Garden
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