Native  

Herbaceous Perennial 

Aster novae-angliae (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

new england aster 

Provides food and cover for wildlife; source of nectar and pollen for butterflies and bees. 

indicator  status          FACW  

habitat   Fields, roadsides, and moist meadows. 

characteristics   A flowering species with a branched stem; grows from 2’-6’ tall; full sun; blooms in late summer; bright purple flowers.  

Native 

Herbaceous Perennial 

Aster novi-belgii (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii)

new york aster 

Used in home landscapes and native meadows; provides nectar and pollen for butterflies and bees. 

indicator  status          FACW  

habitat   Swamps and moist meadows; pH 5.5-7.0.   

characteristics   A rhizomatous flowering species; grows to 5’ tall; 10” minimum root depth; full sun; low drought tolerance; no salt tolerance; blooms from late July to October; violet or blue flowers.   

Native 

Herbaceous Perennial 

Aster puniceus (Symphyotrichum puniceum) 

purple stemmed aster 

Adds a royal purple color to FACW and OBL meadows; provides nectar and pollen for butterflies and bees; the plants provide food for deer. 

indicator  status          OBL   

habitat   Wet meadows, riverbanks, and moist roadsides; pH 4.5-7.5.  

characteristics   A flowering species with a stout stem; grows to 8’ tall; 10” minimum root depth; full sun; low drought tolerance; no salt tolerance; blooms from August to November; beautiful blue to deep violet flowers on raceme centers.   

Native 

Herbaceous Perennial 

Calamagrostis canadensis 

canada bluejoint 

Provides food and cover for deer, muskrats, and moose. 

indicator  status          FACW 

habitat   Swamps and meadows; pH 4.5-8.0. 

characteristics   A rhizomatous grass that grows to 5’ tall; 16” minimum root depth; full sun; low drought tolerance; no salt tolerance; blooms from June to August; blue-green foliage.