How big does New England aster grow?

About 1.3 m × 80 cm after ten years (height × width). Its ultimate size is 0.9–1.8 m × 60–90 cm.

What soil does New England aster grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay.

Is New England aster hardy?

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is New England aster toxic to children?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to children.

When does New England aster flower?

Flowering: August–October, purple, pink, red.

How much water does New England aster need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does New England aster cost?

It sells for roughly HUF 2,400 to HUF 3,500 in local shops, depending on size.

New England aster

Aster novae-angliae

New England aster (Aster novae-angliae) is a perennial that reaches 1.3 m × 80 cm after ten years. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Non-toxic to children. Sold in local shops from about HUF 2,400.

Illustration of New England aster — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

A tall, stiff-stemmed autumn perennial that carries masses of purple, pink or carmine flowers with yellow centres from late August to October, just when bees and butterflies have little else left. Plant it in sun and fertile, moist soil at the back of the border: it resists mildew better than New York aster, but it sheds its lower leaves by late summer, so put something lower in front. Pinching it back once or twice before the end of June keeps it stockier and stops it flopping; cut off the spent stems so it does not seed around.

Watch out for

The lower third of the stems usually goes bare by late summer, and powdery mildew can appear on dry soil and in crowded, airless spots, though less than on New York aster. Aster wilt and stem rot can occur on heavy, poorly drained soil, and tall cultivars flop after rain without support. It also self-seeds and forms a slowly widening clump. In Central Europe several North American asters have escaped from gardens and become abundant on floodplains; the Hungarian nature conservation list of invasive plants does not name New England aster (asters appear there only at genus level, as Aster spp.), but slowly increasing escapes have been recorded in Hungary too, around abandoned gardens, vineyards and stream banks. So cut off the spent stems and do not dump dug-up clumps or garden waste in the wild.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 1.3 m × 80 cm
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D August–October, purple, pink, red

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	1.3 m × 80 cm
Ultimate size	0.9–1.8 m × 60–90 cm
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	August–October, purple, pink, red
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no data
Spreading	Medium
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	60 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For children	Non-toxic
Typical price	from about HUF 2,400

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
size not stated	approx. HUF 2,400 – HUF 3,500

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Perennials for full sun Perennials for clay soil Plants that are non-toxic to children Perennials for pollinators

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New England aster vs Japanese aster New England aster vs New York aster

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