A larger, showier and more sun-loving aster blooming now is the “late” purple aster, Symphyotrichum patens.

Not sure why it is called “late” as it seems to bloom during the earliest wave of native asters. A smaller flower head (1 inch) and a bright yellow center of disk flowers helps to distinguish it from Georgia aster which grows in similar conditions and has similar clasping, rough leaves. Purple aster is found throughout the eastern US and is generally in the northern counties of Georgia and the northern part of the Coastal Plain. The stem is not very upright so this looks good mixed with native grasses and goldenrod in an informal garden. . . . #nativeplants #nativeplantsofgeorgia #gardening #pollinatorplants #pollinatorgardening #nativehabitat #wildlifegardening #plants #georgia #gonative #spring