New England Aster
(Aster novae-angliae)

During late summer and fall, the most important nectar plant is the aster.  Bees, wasps, butterflies and moths hover over the blossoms in the gardens at Lakeside; at times there are so many insects feeding that the flowers are almost obscured.

New England asters are cultivated as garden plants all over the United States.  Their blossoms may be crimson, magenta, purple or lavender.