Butterfly Gardeners Report From:

Madison, NJ:

The selection 'Hella Lacy' shows some resistance to powdery mildew.

Pinching back the stems in late June produces bushier, thicker plants.

The current rating for New England Aster is:

Garden Rating	Nectar Rating	Caterpillar Rating
3	3	1

If you have experience growing New England Aster, we would like your opinion. Let us know how it performed in your butterfly garden. Your comments will help other butterfly gardeners in your region to create better butterfly gardens:

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New England Aster - Aster novae-angliae

purple milkweed Colorful fall flowers blooming over an extended period (often until frost) make New England aster an key butterfly garden plant. Asters as a group provide a large number of flowers per plant (and large amounts of butterfly nectar) at a time of the year when nectar sources are low.

When combined in the garden with goldenrods, the two plants will provide color and nectar at a time of the year when both can be in short supply.

Importance as a caterpillar food source: Pearl Crescent caterpillars use New England aster as a food source. The Pearl Crescent butterfly is widely distributed making New England aster a good plant to try if you wish to observe caterpillars.

Importance as a butterfly nectar source: A wide variety of butterflies flock to New England aster as a late season nectar plant.

**New England Aster Cultural Requirements**
USDA Hardiness Zone	Zones 3 - 9
Bloom Period	Sept to Oct
Bloom Color	Violet to purple ray flowers with orange centers
Plant Height	4 to 6 feet
Plant Spread	Varies
Light Exposure	Full to part sun
Soil Moisture	Moist
Animal/Pest Problems	Powdery mildew may be a problem

Native Range for New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae)