Symphyotrichum prenanthoides
Crooked stemmed aster
 
This early-blooming aster enjoys full sun and well-drained, dry soils. Its bright purple flowers appear in early fall, offering a critical food source for pollinators before other blooms fade. Bees and butterflies flock to its nectar, and its seeds sustain birds into the winter. Perfect for meadows or pollinator gardens, it provides late-season support for both insects and wildlife.
 
photo by Reuven Martin