Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Aerulean®

Protected by U.S. Patents No. 8,301,389 & 8,577,616

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Symphyotrichum novae-angliae

Family: Asteraceae

Common name: NEW ENGLAND ASTER

Synonym: Aster novae-angeliae

Native to: Eastern North America

Sentiment: patience

Plant

Type: perennial

Forms: clumping, erect

Max height: 5 feet

Max width: 3 feet

Flower

magenta/purple, secondary color present, violet

Leaf

green

Horticulture

Attracts wildlife: adult butterfly, bird, specific butterfly species

Plant part consumed by birds: seeds

Plant features: naturalizes

Exposure: part shade, sun

Landscape use: container

Propagates by: cutting, division, seed

flowers in fall

flowers in summer

Soil type: loam

USDA Zones: zone 2 -50 f, zone 3 -40 f, zone 4 -30 f, zone 5 to -20 f, zone 6 to -10 f, zone 7 to 0 f, zone 8 to +10 f, zone 9 to +20 f

Temp. range: -50 to +30 °F

Water: regular

Butterflies that feed on this plant

Aglais milberti

Agraulis vanillae

Agriades glandon

Anartia jatrophae

Ancyloxypha numitor

Anthanassa texana

Anthocharis cethura

Apodemia mejicanus

Apodemia palmeri

Apodemia virgulti

Apodemia walkeri

Asterocampa clyton

Atalopedes campestris

Boloria epithore

Brephidium exilis

Burnsius albezens

Burnsius communis

Calephelis nemesis

Calephelis perditalis

Callicista columella subsp. istapa

Callophrys affinis

Celastrina ladon subsp. echo

Cercyonis oetus

Chlosyne acastus

Chlosyne lacinia

Chlosyne marina

Coenonympha tullia

Colias philodice

Colias scudderi

Cupido comyntas

Cyaniris neglecta

Danaus gilippus

Danaus plexippus

Epidemia dorcas

Erebia epipsodea

Eresia aveyrona subsp. mylitta

Erynnis baptisiae

Erynnis telemachus

Erynnis tristis

Euphydryas gillettii

Euptoieta claudia

Gyrocheilus patrobas

Heliopetes ericetorum

Hesperia comma subsp. colorado

Hesperia leonardus

Hesperia pahaska

Hesperia woodgatei

Hylephila phyleus

Leptotes marina

Limenitis weidemeyerii

Lycaeides melissa

Lycaena helloides

Lycaena heteronea

Lycaena mariposa

Lycaena phlaeas

Mastor alternata

Mastor celia subsp. belli

Mitoura gryneus

Neophasia menapia

Nymphalis antiopa

Occidryas chalcedona

Ochlodes sylvanoides

Panoquina ocola

Papilio glaucus

Papilio rutulus

Parnassius phoebus

Pholisora catullus

Phyciodes batesii

Phyciodes orseis

Phyciodes phaon

Phyciodes picta

Phyciodes tharos

Plebejus fridayi

Plebejus lupini

Plebejus saepiolus

Plebejus shasta

Poladryas minuta

Polygonia oreas

Polygonia progne

Pontia occidentalis

Pontia protodice

Pyrgus scriptura

Satyrium fuliginosa subsp. semiluna

Satyrium liparops

Speyeria cybele

Speyeria egleis

Speyeria zerene

Stinga morrisoni

Thecla johnsoni

Thessalia leanira

Vanessa virginiensis

There are 143 Symphyotrichum, or ASTER, a member of the Compositae (Aster) family. Three perennials are cultivated: Symphyotrichum ericoides, lateriflium, and novae-angeliae. Each of these prefers regular water and attracts birds, butterflies, and bees. They offer a lot of versatility for the gardener as they flower in fall, grow in Zones 2-9, can be propagated by seed, cutting, or division, and grow to 3 ½ to 5 feet tall.

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, NEW ENGLAND ASTER, grows in Zones 3-9, 5' high x 3' wide, and purple or violet flowers bloom in summer and fall. It can naturalize, and be cultivated by cutting division or seed. The leaf is simple, alternate, green, lanceolate or obovate, and has a pointed tip. It is native to New England. Grow it in sun or part shade, in good soil, and try it in a container. It prefers regular water.

Numerous butterflies, listed on the left, are attracted to Compositae and include including:
Agraulis vanillae, Gulf Fritillary
Apodemia mormo, Mormon Metalmark
Callophrys nelsoni, Nelson's Hairstreak

Container plants that attract adult butterflies - perennial

This plant can be grown in a container and will attract and feed adult butterflies. These plant can be found in every height range – from tiny to large – from less than a foot high to over 10 feet tall.

Our database of nectar plants for all US butterflies contains over 10,000 entries. The top five nectar plants -- Cirsium, Lantana, Asclepias, Salvia, and Verbena -- will appeal to 90% of all US butterflies. Pick from these if you want to provide nectar for your local butterflies.

Once you start with these, you can add from another 630 genera in 110 plant families to attract more insects to your garden.

By far the most import butterfly nectar plant family is Asteraceae. If you grow plants in from this family, butterflies will find your garden.

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