New York Aster is a native herbaceous perennial in the Asteraceae family that may grow 3 to 5 feet high. It is found growing in slightly brackish and tidal fresh marshes, occasionally borders of salt marshes and inland marshes, shrub marshes, shores and other moist areas. This plant requires well-drained soil and prefers sandy, loamy and clay soils. It can grow on nutritionally poor soil, in semi-shade or no shade but prefers a sunny location. Our NC native representatives of this species are classified as Symphyotrichum novi-belgii var. elodes . Its low growing habit and fall bloom works well as an edging plant in the front of borders, or in rock gardens or butterfly gardens. It works well with or a substitute for chrysanthemums. Quick ID Hints : Numerous heads of purplish flowers Ray flowers conspicuous, violaceous; disc yellow Leaves narrow, auriculate clasping Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious insect or disease problems but has some susceptibility to powdery mildew. More information on Symphyotrichum .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Cascading; Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Auriculate; Lanceolate; Oblanceolate
Leaf margin
Entire
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The simple leaves are alternate with a smooth margin, sessile and clasping to the stem. The shape is lanceolate to oblanceolate with an acute tip, auriculate to subcordate base, and hispidulous (short stiff hairs) above to soft-pubescent below. 4-6 inches long by 1-1.5 inches wide
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Pink; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Numerous purple to pink ray flowers surrounds a yellow-orange center of disc flowers that mature in late summer to early fall. They are produced in terminal heads and are up to 2 inches across. Bracts overlap at base of the flower
Bloom time
Fall
Fruit type
Achene
Fruit detail
This wildflower produces a dry seed (achene) that matures in late fall. with a tuft of hairs (pappus)
Stem color
Green; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Reddish stem with fine hairs
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
E. Canada to NE. U.S.A.
Distribution
New York aster ranges from Newfoundland and Nova Scotia south to Georgia to Alabama, chiefly near the coast
Wildlife value
Host plant for the Pearl Crescent butterfly. Flowers are attractive to bees and butterflies. Songbirds and small mammals eat the seeds. Members of the genus Symphyotrichum support the following specialized bees: Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteris, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) asteroides, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) hirticincta, Andrena (Cnemidandrena) nubecula, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) placata, Andrena (Callandrena s.l.) simplex, and Colletes simulans.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds; Specialized Bees
Play value
Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Harvest time
Fall; Winter
Fruit type
Achene
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Lawn; Meadow; Naturalized Area
Landscape theme
Butterfly Garden; Native Garden; Pollinator Garden; Rock Garden