New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae 'Roter Stern')

Overview

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Roter Stern’ is a standout cultivar of the New England aster, prized for its compact size and exceptionally rich floral display. Unlike some taller asters, this variety maintains a neat, bushy mound, making it highly manageable in smaller garden spaces without requiring intensive staking. It delivers brilliant rose-red color precisely when many summer flowers begin to fade.

This herbaceous perennial reliably flowers from late August into September, providing crucial late-season nectar for pollinators. Growing best in full sun, the New England aster thrives with medium water intake, though it appreciates rich, moist soils. Its low maintenance profile contributes significantly to its popularity among gardeners seeking late-year spectacle.

The intense, daisy-like flowers covering the foliage mass ensure that Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Roter Stern’ acts as a focal point in the autumn landscape. Its compact structure (1 to 1.5 feet tall) means it offers the robust late-season performance of a traditional New England aster but in a more appropriately scaled package for contemporary borders.

Fast Facts

• Plant Family: Asteraceae
• Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 4-8
• Size at Maturity:
  • Height: 1-1.5 ft
  • Spread: 0.75-1 ft
• Bloom Time: August to September
• Bloom Description: Rose red
• Sun Exposure: Full sun
• Water Needs: Medium
• Maintenance Level: Low

How to Grow

Planting Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Roter Stern’ is best done in spring or early fall. Ensure the location receives full sun for the best bloom performance and strongest stems. This plant adapts well to average, medium, well-drained soil, but it truly excels when given rich, moist conditions, making it an excellent candidate for rain gardens or amendable borders.

Watering should be consistent, maintaining medium moisture levels throughout the growing season. While generally low maintenance, good air circulation is essential to reduce the risk of powdery mildew. If you wish to manage the size and encourage a denser structure, pinch back the stems several times before mid-July; this practice will also slightly delay the already late flowering period.

Since this specific cultivar, ‘Roter Stern’, is naturally compact, staking is usually unnecessary, offering a further benefit over its taller cousins. Cleanup in late fall or early spring involves removing old foliage. Avoid overly wet soils, especially during winter, as this can exacerbate root issues.

Landscape Uses

The low-growing habit of Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Roter Stern’ opens up several fantastic design possibilities. It excels as an edging plant, neatly defining the front of a border without obscuring shorter perennials. Its vibrant rose-red blooms make it a perfect, vibrant addition to butterfly gardens, ensuring continuous pollinator activity right up to the first hard frost.

Given its medium water needs and tolerance for heavier substrates, this New England aster is perfectly suited for rain garden installations, helping manage storm water runoff while adding significant late-season structure. Consider pairing Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Roter Stern’ with late-season grasses or structural elements like Sedum ‘Autumn Joy’ for textural contrast. Its height also makes it ideal for large rock gardens where it can spill softly over stone edges.

Standout Features

Flower Qualities

• Showy

Noteworthy Characteristics

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae, commonly called New England aster, is known for its stout, leafy structure and profuse bloom of daisy-like flowers late in the season. The specific cultivar ‘Roter Stern’ is much shorter, growing only 12–15 inches tall with a pleasingly low, bushy habit. This feature ensures the mounding foliage is nearly covered by the rose-red flowers in early fall, eliminating the need for support stakes often required by other asters.

Tolerances

• Clay Soil

Potential Problems

While generally robust, this New England aster can show some susceptibility to powdery mildew, especially in humid environments or areas with poor air movement. Ensure proper spacing during planting to promote necessary air circulation. Aster wilt is another potential issue, particularly when the plant is situated in poorly-drained clay soils that remain waterlogged. Choosing a location with good drainage mitigates this risk significantly. Taller aster varieties often need staking, but the compact nature of ‘Roter Stern’ largely avoids this need for structural support.

Frequently Asked Questions

What hardiness zones is Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Roter Stern’ suitable for?

This New England aster is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 4 through 8.

How large does Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Roter Stern’ grow?

This compact cultivar typically reaches a height between 1 and 1.5 feet and spreads about 0.75 to 1 foot wide.

When does New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Roter Stern’) bloom?

It provides abundant blooms from August well into September, featuring lovely rose-red coloration.

What sun exposure does Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Roter Stern’ need?

For optimal performance and to keep foliar diseases at bay, this plant requires full sun exposure.

Conclusion

Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Roter Stern’ is an excellent choice for gardeners needing reliable, colorful impact late in the season without the management headache of tying up tall stems. Its low mound of stunning rose-red flowers makes this New England aster invaluable for borders and butterfly habitats. Check your USDA zone compatibility and plan for a sunny, consistently moist spot for planting this autumn star this coming season.

Companion Planting Suggestions

To maximize the late-season visual appeal of Symphyotrichum novae-angliae ‘Roter Stern’, pair it with plants that offer contrasting foliage texture or that bloom earlier than the aster. Ornamental grasses provide necessary vertical contrast; consider Panicum virgatum cultivars for their upright form that complements the aster’s mounding habit. Alternatively, plants that die back earlier, like Peonies or Irises, leave open space during the spring and summer that this aster will eventually fill in with its dense mound by late summer.

Wildlife Benefits

The genus Symphyotrichum is fundamentally important for supporting late-season native pollinators when many other flowers have finished. The daisy-like flowers of this New England aster are highly attractive to butterflies, providing essential nectar sources as they prepare for migration or overwintering. Its presence supports the local ecosystem well into the fall months, making it a prime selection for any dedicated wildlife or pollinator garden planning.