Asters

There are many kinds of asters. Some are short, some are tall, some are drought resistant, and some are not. They come in a range of colours: white, mauve, blue-purple, violet, lilac, pink, etc. Asters bloom late in the year and attract myriads of bees and butterflies. Some also develop excellent fall colour on the foliage. A few can be aggressive (either by seed or rhizomes) but they are well worth adding to the garden.

Eurybia conspicua, sometimes listed as Aster conspicuus and also known as the Western showy aster, is a fabulous native aster that is also suitable for a garden space. Wild aster is a late fall blooming plant that is important for extending the season for bees and beauty.