Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, syn. Aster novae-angliae, horticultural variety
Perennial of the Asteraceae family, the New England aster is native to the eastern part of North America, where it colonizes wet prairies, forest edges, and stream banks, from Canada to the Appalachians.
This horticultural variety develops a very vigorous bushy habit, reaching 1.20 to 1.50 m in height, with upright and branched stems bearing lanceolate foliage, slightly grayish, with a slightly rough texture to the touch. In full bloom, the vegetation almost entirely disappears under the flowers.
The flower heads are numerous, dense, with a strong pink-magenta color with a yellow center, which darkens slightly as they age. The mass effect is striking: the plant then forms a dome of dense and luminous color.
In its natural habitat, flowering extends from August to October. In cultivation, it generally occurs from September to November, thus extending the perennial season until the first frosts.
It appreciates fresh, well-drained soil, in full sun. Regular division every two to three years maintains the vigor of the clump and the quality of the flowering.