New England aster Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Asteraceae family. It grows 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) tall and 60–90 cm (24–35 in) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 70 cm (28 in) apart.
Plan New England aster in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
New England aster at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Asteraceae |
| Mature height | 80 cm–1.5 m (31 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60–90 cm (24–35 in) |
| Spacing | 70 cm (28 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | from about August for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany |
Is New England aster toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Asters are listed as non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with New England aster
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See New England aster in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Longwood Gardens (10 plants)
- Monet’s gardens at Giverny (70 plants)
Questions about New England aster
- How far apart should I plant New England aster?
- About 70 cm (28 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60–90 cm (24–35 in).
- Does New England aster need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does New England aster need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is New England aster?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does New England aster flower?
- From about August for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is New England aster poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Asters are listed as non-toxic to people, cats and dogs.
- What grows well with New England aster?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for New England aster. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Late-season nectar source for butterflies.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lettuce Lactuca sativa
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea
- Black-eyed Susan Rudbeckia hirta
- French tarragon Artemisia dracunculus