Eurybia spectabilis
showy aster
 
Showy aster, is a fall powerhouse that turns up the color when many other garden plants are calling it quits for the season. Its bright purple blooms with their cheerful yellow centers are a late-season gift to the garden. Growing in dense clumps up to 2 feet tall, it thrives in dry to average soil and loves full sun, though it’ll tolerate part sun too. 
 
Showy aster is a late-season feast. Pollinators like the eastern bumblebee (Bombus impatiens) and the painted lady butterfly (Vanessa cardui) will visit the blooms, making the most of that late-season nectar. Birds, particularly goldfinches and sparrows, appreciate the seeds. It’s a great plant for wildlife that’s gearing up for the colder months and could use an extra food stop along the way.
 
Photo credit to: Britt Drews (pictured with Helenium autumnale)