Posted on by Donna

The Asters Are Blooming….

“The lands are lit with all the autumn blaze of golden-rod, and everywhere the purple asters nod and bend and wave and flit.”

~Helen Hunt
 
 

…..so it must be Autumn!  I literally do a happy dance when I see the first native, tall, New England asters blooming throughout my garden and meadow.  

 

 

And then I watch for them in and among the goldenrod on the roadsides….as they love to bloom together making pollinators and butterflies happy.  

 

 

I need to add the native Helianthus to the asters and goldenrod, for a blooming trio in my garden, making monarchs dizzy with delight.

 

 

Phlox also continues to bloom much to the bliss of Tiger Swallowtails.

 

 

And let’s not forget Joe Pye.  All these late summer, early fall blooms sing together in harmony in the garden.

 

 

Joe Pye also feeds the monarchs with nectar for a couple of months before they migrate.

 

 

But my first love is definitely aster…..I swoon as each bloom opens in the morning light.  And I allow them to volunteer everywhere; this year especially.

 

 

And that is wonderful news for the monarchs and other butterflies migrating.  Most sunny days you will find me wandering the early autumn garden, watching butterflies as they nectar all day on the asters, drifting and lingering.  

 

 

Recently the aster has attracted a new butterfly to my garden; American Painted Lady.  I have had dozens covering the large aster patch next to the pond and veg garden.

 

 

To me, asters look like party favors made from brightly colored paper, each petal individually cut and curled with scissors.

 

 

When we finally have a hard frost, and the asters are done blooming, I grieve.  For I know the colorful blooms give way to the colors of the woods and soon only green and brown remain until next spring.

 

What flowers sing of fall or a change of seasons for you?

 

Falling In Love With An Autumn Vase

 

 

Even though it is autumn, our summer weather (hot and dry) started in early September finally, or again, and is continuing through this week.  But the weather will change quickly enough, to early autumn temps of 60s in the day, and 40s at night when October rolls around.

 

 

This vase is filled with early autumn native flowers:  Symphyotrichum novae-angliae or ‘New England Asters’ and native perennial Helianthus, Helianthus divaricatus.  I have profiled these on my blog in the past.  You can find them listed on my new Favorite Native Plants page listing native plants that I have profiled that grow in my garden.  You can see it at the top of the blog or on the side bar.  

 

 

I created another vase with off-white asters, Eupatorium purpureum or ‘Joe Pye’, Sanguisorba officinalis or ‘Great Burnet’ and some plumes from grasses now blooming.  I love the artsy effect of this vase, created by the apps I reference below.

 

I am joining Cathy@Rambling in the Garden for her wonderful In A Vase on Monday meme. The pictures shared here were created with my iPod Touch camera and two free apps, Pixlr and Prisma. 

I am posting poetry, almost weekly on Sundays, on my other blog, Living From Happiness.  You can read my latest poem here.

 

All original content is copyrighted and the sole property of Donna Donabella @ Gardens Eye View, 2010-2017.  Any reprints or use of content or photos is by permission only.

42 Replies to “The Asters Are Blooming….”

  1. What a lovely post Donna! My asters are also just coming out, and our butterflies are enjoying the sedum and helianthus too. Lovely pictures. 🙂 Enjoy your fine weather while it lasts!

  2. The lake is ablaze with asters and goldenrods Donna – it is the most beautiful garden cultured by Mother Nature. I think there is an irruption of Painted Ladies! I, too, have swarms on my helianthus. Such a beautiful sight. Wonderful photo effects and the Joe-pye vase arrangement is lovely!

    1. I drove up north Saturday to a friend’s camp at another lake nearby you….and everywhere there were tall purple asters, milkweed and goldenrod….with a few helianthus here and there! I agree it has to be an irruption. My larger native helianthus just opened and so more butterflies are swarming on those too!

  3. Oh I must make time to seek out those photo editing apps, Donna – your pictures are always wonderful but those with the butterflies show them in a different way as the butterflies appear to be superimposed on the edited bacckground. Gorgeous! Your vases are pretty too, of course, and I especially like the last picture – well done, Donna1

    1. I love how you described the butterflies…gave me a different perspective of my pictures. Definitely take time when you have it Cathy to play with those apps. The last vase picture was my favorite too!

  5. Your arrangements are deliciously romantic, Donna. They make me fall in love with autumn all over again!
    I, too, love the native asters, I’ve counted 9 different species on my property, and there probably are crosses, too. They are a kind farewell to the growing season.

    1. Thanks you! I couldn’t agree more Eliza…asters are romantic and do whisper farewell to the growing season. I never counted mine, but I know of at least 4 or 5 species here. How lovely to have 9.

  6. Your photos do look like wonderful works of art, Donna – they look like watercolor paintings! The asters are particularly beautiful. Asters don’t do particularly well here – I’ve only found 2 species that can handle our hot, dry conditions and survive more than a single season.

    1. Thanks so much Kris….It’s the only way I can paint right now….maybe one day I can create these pieces of art with paint and canvas. That is too bad about asters growing there….they are pollinator magnets and just so darn pretty. But at least 2 species can grow there.

  7. Your pictures are all very lovely and deserve to be shown off on a wall. Perhaps I’ll have a go at being arty when I have more time in winter.

    1. Oh Alison how very kind of you to say so. I continue to toy with the idea of making prints and cards. Definitely fun to try these artsy apps when you have time.

        1. Thank you Alison for the inspiration and vote of confidence. This winter while I am stuck inside under feet of snow, I plan to check out the options and then hoping to set up a shop.

    1. I love that too Chloris….they seem to spread and hide and then suddenly there is color popping all over. So glad you enjoyed the pictures.

  10. Butterflies are ephemeral magic and I welcome anything which brings them into the garden.
    I try and wander the garden most days (and early mornings are best) marvelling at each sign of growth.
    It is violets which are usually my first sign that Spring (our current season) is here. But the garden has its own agenda and often ignores our calendar.

    1. Oh I love to watch violets bloom all over in spring too. And I couldn’t agree more, the garden has its own mind along with nature….

  12. This is stunningly beautiful, Donna! The Joe Pyes are done blooming here, but otherwise the same species are taking center stage here, as well. I’ve become more of a fan of Asters over time. Oh, and your vases are amazing, too!

    1. Thanks so much Beth. I think so much has lasted in the garden with this sudden summer. It will end soon though and I don’t think we will get much of a fall. But nature always surprises. I am sure my butterflies will be gone in a day or two as cooler rainy weather is headed our way. But I am grateful for each day with these flowers and butterflies.

  14. What a beautiful post, and I love your autumn vases! I was not an aster fan at first, but now after I transplanted my asters to a place where they can flop at will and still look beautiful, I truly appreciate them. Mine are full of buds but not quite open yet. I hope their lavender blooms will complement the fall foliage of nearby native fothergilla. That was the plan when I planted them next to each other last year. Now I get to see if it works!

    1. Thanks so much Deb. Your asters sound wonderful. I look forward to seeing them blooming with your fothergilla. Should make a beautiful display.

  15. beautiful and I love the monarch photos!
    We’ve also had a bunch of painted ladies come through, and it’s exciting to see so many of them at one time. Between that and the asters and chrysanthemums I can almost say autumn is halfway tolerable 😉
    I’m with you though on being done with this heat…

  16. This is my first time to your blog and I love it! This is the first time I have grown an aster and I am waiting impatiently for it to bloom. I enjoyed yours!
    Thanks for sharing on Wildflower Wednesday.
    Jeannie @ GetMeToTheCountry

    1. Thanks so much Lea….our weather finally cooled and the butterflies were plentiful so it has been a great week. Enjoy your weekend!

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