New England Aster
Best choice for gardeners looking to support pollinators with late-season color.
The New England Aster, a native perennial from Holly Days Nursery, brings vibrant color to your garden from late summer into fall. Its 'Wood's Purple' cultivar offers clusters of daisy-like flowers with rich purple petals and bright yellow centers, blooming reliably for weeks. Growing upright to 1-2 feet, this plant thrives in full sun and moist, well-drained soil. It's an excellent choice for supporting late-season pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it ideal for native gardens, meadows, and borders in USDA zones 4-8.
Owner Satisfaction
4.7
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Category Rank
61
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#61 in Plants
Cultivar
Wood's Purple
/ Wood's Purple
Who it's for
- Cold-climate gardeners needing reliable, low-maintenance perennials
- Landscapers seeking late-season color for autumn curb appeal
- Eco-conscious gardeners supporting local pollinator populations
Who should skip it
- Low-maintenance gardeners avoiding extra seasonal chores
- Gardeners in humid climates wanting disease-resistant foliage
- Owners of small garden beds with limited space
Performance breakdown
Pollinator Impact
Essential late-season nectar source for migrating butterflies and local bees.
Seasonal Visual Appeal
Provides a vibrant color pop when most garden perennials fade.
Hardiness and Adaptability
Reliable performer across a wide range of northern climate zones.
Maintenance Requirements
Low-effort growth habit that thrives with minimal intervention once established.
Landscape Versatility
Compact size fits perfectly into borders, meadows, or container arrangements.
Native Ecological Value
Supports regional biodiversity by restoring native plant populations to gardens.
Key Specs
Cultivar
Wood's Purple
Bloom Color
Purple
Bloom Time
Fall
Length of Bloom
3 weeks or more
Height
1 to 2 feet
Spread
1 to 2 feet
Light Preference
Full Sun
Hardiness Zones
USDA 4–8
Features
- Vibrant late-season purple blooms
- Attracts bees and butterflies
- Native North American plant
- Upright growth habit
- Drought tolerant
- Supports biodiversity
- Long bloom time
- Robust appearance
What customers say
The sentiment is overwhelmingly positive, centered on the exceptional quality and reliability of the New England Aster upon arrival. Customers frequently note the plants are healthy, robust, and establish themselves quickly, minimizing transplant shock. This vigor translates directly into high reliability and ease of use for gardeners of all skill levels. Buyers feel they receive excellent value, appreciating that the nursery delivers dependable, thriving stock ready to flourish in the landscape.
Know before you buy
This cultivar thrives in full sun and requires soil that is consistently moist but well-drained. It is best suited for gardens in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8.
The 'Wood's Purple' maintains a compact, upright habit, typically reaching a height and spread of 1 to 2 feet. This makes it a versatile choice for borders or smaller garden spaces.
You will see vibrant purple, daisy-like flowers appear in late summer and continue through the fall. The blooms are long-lasting, typically providing color for three weeks or more.
Yes, as a native North American perennial, it is an excellent choice for supporting biodiversity. Its late-season blooms provide a critical nectar source for pollinators like bees and butterflies when other flowers have finished.
It is a relatively robust and low-maintenance plant. While it appreciates medium water needs, it is considered drought-tolerant once established, provided it is planted in an appropriate location.
Still have a question?
Ask Hayley anything about this product before you decide.