Aster, New England
Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, also known as New England aster, is a perennial wildflower native to Michigan and the Upper Peninsula. Asters are a keystone pollinator species supplying late season resources which support young queen bees preparing to overwinter, male bees seeking mates before frost, migrating butterflies, and butterflies that overwinter right here. Some birds also eat the seeds in winter.
Plant reaches 4 feet tall in moist conditions and flowers from late summer to frost with large clusters of purple blooms, sometimes pink. It is one of the showier native plants, with an eye-catching display and rich color that peaks well after most other natives have faded.
It adapts to full sun to partial shade, wet to dry soil and will grow in muck, clay, loam or sand, but it prefers medium soil with frequent moisture.