A New England Aster packet contains >160 seeds

A mixed species packet contains ~800 seeds

New England Aster ( Symphyotrichum novae-angliae)

one of Maine’s most strikingly fall wildflowers. A excellent end of season generalist insectary plant and native ornamental for the garden or meadow. If you have this flower (or other late season wildflowers) in meadows or other areas maintained by mowing, it is important to put off mowing into November when these wonderful plants have had a chance to set viable seed. When planting for maximum positive environmental effect, be sure to select seed grown plant stock produced without pesticides as these preserve the biodiversity of the species and protect the pollinators that rely on them.

These are local ecotype seeds/plants grown at Edgewood Nursery, originally collected in so called Falmouth, Maine.

Seeds should be sown in fall or winter or artificially cold stratified for 60+ days before sowing. Seeds should be surface sown, as they are quite small. Starting in pots is probably preferable due to small seed size.

Grows easily in sun on most soils. Tolerates part shade, drought and weed competition. While a very pretty wildflower with late season blooms, potentially a bit rambunctious for a flower garden. Ideal for a meadow or ditch planting.

Mixed Species Wood Aster (Symphyotrichum spp.)

This region has over 20 species of Symphyotrichum, many of them tricky to identify down to a species level. This mix contains seeds from several individual plants growing wild at Edgewood Nursery, probably spanning a couple species Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) and Heart-leaved Aster (Symphyotrichum cordifolium) are likely suspects, but I’m not sure of the species in this mix. Whatever the species, these plants thrive in part shade and are adaptable to near full shade and near full sun. They bloom late in the season and provide food for a wide variety of pollinators as well as a burst of color as the season fades into winter.

These are local ecotype seeds grown at Edgewood Nursery, this population predates the nursery.

These seeds can likely be sown in spring, but fall or winter sowing is fine too. Surface sow, or just barely cover with light sand.