New England Asters

My favourite flower of fall is the New England Aster.  A rich purple, it's the last major wildflower to bloom in the fall, and it's always been quite prolific along roadsides, fencerows and ditches.  As you may recall, I was afraid it had disappeared this year, but I just had my timing off, because I've now found plenty of it.

I first found a bunch in the wildflower strip that a woman has allowed to grow where an old sidewalk was, and in the adjoining ditch.  Now a beautiful place for summer wildflowers.

You can see it's got the typical aster flower, numerous rays surrounding a bright yellow centre of stamens and pistils.

A few days later I spotted this big patch bordering the side of a driveway.  I slipped in and grabbed a few photos.

I always think that a close-up of this flower looks most striking.

I've since found it in three other places, including right at the end of our own street, not far from our mailboxes.  So I'm reassured that it's as plentiful this year as it has been in the past.