Angely here! 🦋
It's mums season 🍁 and I wanted to showcase a mums lookalike that's native and supports our local pollinators! Making the leap to native plants may be intimidating, but that's where nativars (native cultivars) help you take a baby step.
They are native flowers that have been bred to be more compact, thus making them easier to plant in a residential landscape.
Native Plant Featured: 'Purple Dome' New England Aster (𝘚𝘺𝘮𝘱𝘩𝘺𝘰𝘵𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘩𝘶𝘮 𝘯𝘰𝘷𝘢𝘦-𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘪𝘢𝘦)This nativar is available for purchase in Delaware, Ohio at the Scioto Gardens nursery.
More General Info On Native Plant Mum Alternatives...
When it comes to fall gardening, mums (Chrysanthemums) have long been the star of the show. Their vibrant blooms are practically synonymous with autumn, popping up in garden centers and adorning front porches across the country. But there’s a growing movement to shift toward native plants, and an exciting alternative to mums is emerging: nativars like the New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae).
If you’re looking to shake up your fall garden with something that’s not only gorgeous but also beneficial to local ecosystems, here’s why New England asters and other nativars should top your list:
1. A Burst of Color with a Purpose
Mums are undeniably beautiful, but New England asters give them a run for their money. These stunning purple-to-pink flowers bloom just as prolifically as mums and can last from late summer well into the frost of fall. But there’s more to these blooms than meets the eye.
While mums are often bred to be ornamental, New England asters are native wildflowers that play a crucial role in supporting local wildlife. They offer a rich source of nectar for late-season pollinators like bees and butterflies. In particular, migrating monarchs love to visit these flowers on their long journeys south. By planting asters, you’re not just adding fall color—you’re helping your local ecosystem thrive!
2. Low Maintenance for High Reward
One of the major draws of mums is their easy-care reputation. But did you know that New England asters are just as fuss-free? Once established, they are perennials, meaning they’ll come back year after year. They thrive in full sun, tolerate a range of soil types, and can withstand drought once mature. Even better, asters tend to be more resilient to pests and diseases compared to the often-finicky mums.
And unlike mums, which often need to be replaced every season, asters continue to grow and spread, filling in garden gaps without much effort on your part.
3. Nativars Are Environmentally Friendly
While mums add pops of color to our autumn landscapes, they often don’t contribute much to the local ecosystem. Many mums sold commercially are bred to be sterile, meaning they don’t provide pollen or nectar for pollinators. This limits their usefulness to local wildlife.
In contrast, nativars like the New England aster strike a perfect balance between aesthetic appeal and ecological benefit. A nativar (a cultivated variety of a native plant) retains many of the positive attributes of its wild relatives but has been selected for enhanced garden performance—think showier blooms, compact growth habits, and even more vibrant colors. So, not only do they look good, but they also serve an important role in supporting the biodiversity of your region.
4. Diverse Bloom Time
One of the reasons people love mums is that they reliably bloom in the fall when many other plants are starting to fade. But New England asters also shine during this time. They start to bloom in late summer and continue right into the heart of autumn, keeping your garden lively and colorful.
Plus, you can mix asters with other fall-blooming native plants like goldenrod (Solidago spp.) and Joe-Pye weed (Eutrochium spp.) to create a stunning palette of purple, yellow, and pink that transitions beautifully into the colder months.
5. Go Wild with Design
Mums, while lovely, can feel a bit predictable when used as the centerpiece of fall decor. New England asters, on the other hand, provide a more natural, free-flowing aesthetic that pairs perfectly with rustic, cottage-style gardens or wildflower meadows. Their airy blooms and taller stems make them perfect for softening borders, filling in perennial beds, or creating a pollinator-friendly wild patch in your yard.
Because they’re perennials, you can also plant them alongside grasses, sedges, or shrubs for a layered look that evolves throughout the seasons.
6. Attract Birds for Winter
Here’s a bonus: after New England asters have finished their blooming season, the seed heads they produce can provide a natural food source for birds during the winter. Goldfinches, in particular, love to munch on aster seeds, making your fall garden a sanctuary for wildlife long after the flowers have faded. In contrast, mums are typically removed or cut back as soon as their blooms are done, offering little in terms of long-term garden benefits.
Switching up your fall plantings to include nativars like New England asters offers all the seasonal beauty you crave, but with extra benefits for local wildlife, pollinators, and the environment. They bring a wild, whimsical energy to your garden that mums just can’t compete with—and they keep coming back, stronger and better, year after year.
So this fall, give the traditional mums a break and embrace the beauty and benefits of New England asters. Your garden—and the bees—will thank you!
If you’re looking to fill your autumn garden with native plants in Knox County, Ohio, you’re in luck! This region is home to many beautiful native species that thrive in the fall and support local ecosystems. Here are some excellent nativar suggestions to pair with New England asters and create a stunning, pollinator-friendly garden:
1. Goldenrod (Solidago spp.)
Goldenrod is a quintessential fall bloomer, with vibrant yellow flowers that light up meadows, fields, and gardens. Many people mistakenly think goldenrod causes allergies, but that’s a myth—ragweed is the real culprit.
Why it's great for fall: Goldenrod blooms from late summer into fall, complementing asters beautifully. Its nectar supports bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, and its seeds are enjoyed by birds.
Best varieties: Solidago canadensis (Canada goldenrod) or Solidago rugosa (wrinkleleaf goldenrod) are excellent choices for Ohio.
2. Smooth Blue Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve)
If you love the idea of asters but want some variety, the smooth blue aster is a fantastic native alternative. It has light blue to lavender flowers with yellow centers and blooms around the same time as New England asters.
Why it's great for fall: This aster provides late-season blooms and serves as a vital nectar source for pollinators like bees and butterflies.
Best feature: Smooth blue aster is known for its graceful, branching stems and abundant blossoms that add a delicate, airy texture to garden beds.
3. Joe-Pye Weed (Eutrochium spp.)
Joe-Pye weed is a tall, showy native plant with large clusters of pinkish-purple flowers that bloom from late summer into fall. It adds great vertical structure to any garden.
Why it's great for fall: Its large, fragrant flower clusters attract a wide variety of pollinators, including butterflies like the monarch. After blooming, its seed heads provide interest into winter and offer food for birds.
Best varieties: Eutrochium purpureum (sweet Joe-Pye weed) and Eutrochium maculatum (spotted Joe-Pye weed) are both native to Ohio.
4. Black-Eyed Susan (Rudbeckia hirta)
Black-eyed Susans are a classic native wildflower with cheerful yellow petals and dark brown centers. While they start blooming in summer, they often persist well into the fall.
Why it's great for fall: These bright flowers provide long-lasting color in the garden and are a magnet for pollinators like bees and butterflies. Once the blooms fade, their seed heads can feed birds during the colder months.
Best varieties: Look for Rudbeckia fulgida (orange coneflower) or Rudbeckia triloba (brown-eyed Susan) for a variety of sizes and bloom forms.
5. Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)
Also known as bee balm, wild bergamot is a beloved Ohio native plant with fragrant, lavender-colored flowers that bloom from midsummer into fall.
Why it's great for fall: It attracts pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Wild bergamot also works well in more naturalistic garden settings, adding texture and height.
Best feature: Its aromatic leaves can be used to make tea, and the plant itself adds a wonderful fragrance to your garden.
6. Little Bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium)
Native grasses can add beautiful texture and movement to your fall garden, and little bluestem is one of the best. Its slender blue-green stems turn a striking reddish-orange color in the fall.
Why it's great for fall: Little bluestem’s autumn color and upright form create a dynamic contrast to flowering plants. It also provides habitat and food for birds and small mammals.
Best feature: The plant’s fluffy seed heads catch the light and create a magical effect in the fall and early winter.
7. Ironweed (Vernonia spp.)
Ironweed is a tall, bold plant that produces deep purple flowers in late summer and fall. Its rich, jewel-toned blooms are perfect for adding drama to the landscape.
Why it's great for fall: Ironweed’s striking color attracts bees and butterflies, and it stands out in both natural and formal garden settings.
Best varieties: Vernonia gigantea (giant ironweed) or Vernonia fasciculata (smooth ironweed) are native to Ohio and thrive in moist conditions.
8. Wild Senna (Senna hebecarpa)
Wild senna is a lesser-known native plant that produces clusters of yellow flowers in midsummer, followed by attractive seed pods that last into fall.
Why it's great for fall: While its flowers are a summer feature, the seed pods that develop afterward provide visual interest well into the autumn months. It also supports pollinators and is a host plant for several butterfly species.
Best feature: The bold, compound leaves and upright growth make wild senna a unique addition to fall gardens.
9. Mountain Mint (Pycnanthemum virginianum)
Mountain mint is a compact, bushy plant with clusters of small white flowers that bloom from mid-summer to early fall. It has a strong minty fragrance, making it a great companion plant.
Why it's great for fall: Pollinators flock to mountain mint, and its late-season flowers offer a nectar source when other plants are starting to fade. The foliage also stays attractive well into the fall.
Best feature: Its minty scent can help deter pests, and it’s highly drought-tolerant.
10. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum)
Another native grass, switchgrass, provides excellent structure and fall interest. Its airy seed heads catch the light and can remain beautiful throughout the winter.
Why it's great for fall: The golden color of switchgrass in autumn pairs beautifully with late-blooming flowers like asters and goldenrod. It also provides cover and seeds for wildlife.
Best varieties: Look for cultivars like ‘Shenandoah’ or ‘Northwind’ for beautiful fall colors.
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