Aster novae angliae 'Purple Dome' - Organic perennial

Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome' – New England Aster

Aster novae-angliae 'Purple Dome', also known as New England Aster 'Purple Dome', is a compact and floriferous perennial that provides spectacular colour in the late summer and autumn. The plant forms a dense, bushy clump covered with hundreds of intense violet-purple flowers with yellow centres.

Unlike many taller New England asters, 'Purple Dome' remains relatively compact and sturdy, making it particularly suitable for borders, smaller gardens and containers.

A spectacular autumn display

From around September to October, 'Purple Dome' produces masses of violet-purple flowers. The abundant blooms provide valuable colour at a time when many summer-flowering plants have already finished flowering.

Excellent for pollinators 🐝

The flowers are highly attractive to bees, bumblebees, butterflies and other pollinating insects. As fewer plants are flowering in autumn, late-flowering asters provide an important source of nectar.

Combine 'Purple Dome' with ornamental grasses and other late-flowering perennials for a colourful and wildlife-friendly autumn border.

Compact and sturdy

'Purple Dome' is valued for its compact, rounded growth habit. It generally reaches around 50–60 cm in height, making it much easier to use in borders than taller New England asters.

Its sturdy growth means that it usually does not require staking.

Position and soil

Plant in full sun for the best flowering. It prefers a fertile, humus-rich and well-drained soil that does not remain waterlogged.

Once established, this is a strong and reliable perennial that returns every year.

Key features

💜 Intense violet-purple flowers with yellow centres
🌸 Abundant late-summer and autumn flowering
🐝 Excellent for bees, bumblebees and butterflies
🌿 Compact and sturdy growth
📏 Approx. 50–60 cm tall
☀️ Thrives in full sun
🌱 Hardy perennial
🌼 Provides colour late in the season
🌾 Excellent combined with ornamental grasses
🌿 Ideal for naturalistic and wildlife-friendly borders

Plant type: deciduous perennial
Height: approx. 50–60 cm
Width: approx. 40–60 cm
Flowering: September–October
Flower colour: violet-purple with yellow centre
Position: full sun
Soil: fertile, humus-rich and well drained
Moisture: average to moist, but avoid waterlogging
Hardiness: very hardy
Pruning: cut back old stems in spring
Wildlife value: excellent nectar plant for late-season pollinators