New England aster provides a dazzling floral display at the end of the season. Left alone, it can grow up to 5 feet tall and, without support from other sturdy plants, may lean over under the weight of all the flowers it produces. To prevent the plant from getting too tall, prune it by one third in early summer.

Uses: rain gardens, butterflies, bees

Bloom time: September - October

Height: 3 to 5 feet

Space: 2 to 3 feet

Sun: Full sun to medium shade

Moisture: Average to moist

Seed: Most aster seeds will germinate without cold, moist stratification, but it is best practice to sow them well before May.

• ~200 seeds per packet
• 68,750 seeds per ounce
• 1 oz. covers up to 2,300 square feet