The New England Aster and Related Species

By Joe Francis, Fairfax Master Gardener
Aster is a genus of flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. It is a very large family, and some taxonomic order on size control corralled this genus by geographic locations of its group species. The big winner and keeper of the name Aster went to some 180 species located in Eurasia. All good rules have exceptions, and the native species Aster alpinus spp. vierhapperi, found in North America, continues its listing in Asteraceae. It produces single stem inflorescences, can withstand -18.6F and needs 90 frost free days to flower with a strong preference for cool temperatures.

The other Aster subspecies found in North America were determined by morphologic and molecular research to be reclassified out of the Aster genus. They remain within the tribe Astereae. This sorting reclassified this group of eight asters into changed genera. The New England Aster, novae-angliae, and seven other Aster species are now catalogued in the genera Symphyotrichum.

The transferred genera Symphyotrichum lists these species briefly described as follows:
Symphyotrichum cordifolium, blue wood aster, is 3 feet to 5 feet and faded blue to rich blue with yellow centers. Pinch several times before mid-July to tame height. A tough plant.

Symphyotrichum dumosum, common names rice button aster and bushy aster. Its height of 3 feet to 5 feet is managed by pinching before mid-July. There are five separate varieties in this species. They were moved into this distinct genus from New York aster, (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii), after phylogenetic analysis. The white variety is thought to have smaller flowers presented in a paniculiform array and to be bushy in appearance. It has a strong presence in Illinois. It prefers a moist environment with full sun to light shade.

Symphyotrichum ericoides, white heath aster, is 1 foot to 3 feet. Its leaves are sessile (stalk-less) and narrow. There are two varieties, v. ericiodes that spreads by underground rhizomes [invasive alert], and v. pansum, whose roots remain in the typical clump with corm-like caudices. It is generally considered to be a tough plant but is subjected to fungal infections if not planted in open, sunny locations.

Symphyotrichum laeve, smooth aster, has four varieties and is often referred to as the smooth blue aster. Some literature carries it as glaucous aster. It grows 8 inches to 28 inches tall and is a favorite of the ground bees. It thrives in rocky or dry soil in full sun. There are other varieties within this species that prefer moist growing conditions and tolerate light shade.

Symphyotrichum lateriflorum, Lady in Black, is a maroon blue flower. Any time spent researching this cultivar will be time well spent. It tops out at 3 feet without pinching. Pinching will simply make a very floriferous presentation even more robust. There is an extensive line of miniature clones developed in this species attaining 12 inches to 18 inches in height.

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae has common names New England aster, hairy Michaelmas-daisy or Michaelmas-daisy. It is found as an elegant pink, although some cultivars appear as faded pink to white. The true species will grow 3 feet to 6 feet high and will definitely benefit from severe pinching in the early season to keep order and temper the need for robust staking efforts. Later breeding developments within this species provided improvements in flower color selection and reduced height to 3 feet, and cultivars like ‘Purple Dome’ have obliterated the domestic market for the historic pure species plants.

Symphyotrichum novi-belgii (New Belgium), common name New York aster, was registered when New York was called New Belgium. It is an outstanding pink cultivar with very bushy flowers.

This is not as good for cut flower usage as Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, New England aster. It grows 36 inches to 48 inches and responds to pinching in June to control height and improve flower count. It tolerates light shade and craves light moisture. The clone ‘Deep Purple’ prefers full sun and is considered to be a standard setter in this group. The clone ‘Alert’ is a stunning miniature red.

Symphyotrichum pilosum v. pilosum, is the hairy white oldfield aster or frost aster. It is not inclined to branch freely and blooms appear on its upright stem structure. It grows from 1 foot to 5 feet and thrives in part shade to full sun. In comparison to the preceding series discussed, the flower count would be considered low.

I was unable to find any consolidated listing of the primary cross and subsequent progeny activity of any of the listed species. However, references made to offspring crosses that tamed height and increased the color palette found in the retail literature suggest plant breeders worked diligently to overcome the height traits found in the pure species plant stock.

This is a gardener’s dream come true for the end of the garden season color requirement that takes one to the cusp of the first killing frost. Added bonuses are their attraction to migrant butterflies and to bee pollinators in search of nourishment to make it to their next stop. Careful attention to cultivar selection can provide solid color in the mid-September to late-October growing period. Large quantities of flowers translate to copious seed dispersal, and preemptive dead heading is an option.

Culture concerns are quite flexible. Plants grow in zones 1 to 8 and really thrive in zones 3 to 8. They for the most part require full sun and considerable air circulation. They tolerate all types of soil conditions and a pH range of 6.4 to 7.5 is fine. Their defining “fault” is, as the plant moves through its growth cycle, the lower leaves become untidy. This can be overcome by pruning new growth in early June to about 6 inches high. This goes a long way in taming height challenges. Also, return in early July and prune the outer circle of plant stems by 25 percent. The effect of this selective pruning will be an outer ring of stem flower growth that will mask the lower leaf loss on the higher blooming stems. Pruning after mid-July will delay the fall blooms by two weeks, and you will be provided with reduced flower output. Other than the fungal challenges on the lower stem and the presence of powdery mildew if in a very poor air circulation environment, the usual garden pests take a pass.

The Symphyotrichum genera benefit wildly if lifted and divided each spring in alternate years. The plants’ rejuvenation following this lift and divide will be quite noticeable. These plants usually end up in the back row of the perennial garden. Their placement helps define the borders and provides lasting color in the cool, fall season during the waning days of the active growing season.

Resources
New England Aster, Missouri Botanical Garden, (also search other species at this site)
New York Aster, University of Maryland Extension
The Well-Tended Perennial Garden, 2nd Edition, by Tracy DiSabato-Aust
(Use search engine using the species name to find retail stock availability)