The end of summer blaze of royal colors in meadows is a vibrant visual display to attract a variety of insects, including bees that are increasing their stores of nectar and pollen for overwintering, and monarch butterflies as they stop to fuel up during their southward migration. This mighty showing by asters and goldenrods gets going just before Maine's trees start revealing their famous fall colors.

Asters add the deep purples to light lavenders in the field where I walk. They can also be blue, pink and white. A variety of white asters live in Maine; some shade-loving woodlanders found along forest trails and edges, others prefer the full sun provided in meadows. The New England Aster can sport both deep purple and deep pink blossoms. They come in an amazing variety of form and colors!

Interesting Facts

• Asters and goldenrods are important for the survival of small mammal and birds. The seed lingers on the plants through the cold months and provides much needed food as well as thickets of dried stems to hide in.
• Asters are related to sunflowers.
• Aster flowers have come to symbolize Autumn and are the birth flower for those born in September.
• Goldenrod is the state flower of Kentucky.
• Do not blame goldenrod for your seasonal allergies; it is the pollen of ragweed that is the culprit.

Activities for Children and the Young at Heart

1. Consider adding native asters to your yard. They are easy to sow by seed in the autumn. Learn how to turn a part of your lawn into a meadow full of native flowers.
2.  Learn how to take care of meadows for monarchs.
3.  Go on a purple and gold hike to see how many kinds of asters and goldenrods you can find. Try a meadow one day, a forest path another. Compare you findings.
4. Observe pollinators on asters and goldenrods. Record the numbers and variety. Look up where the pollinators spend the winter. What do they eat there? When will they return? What will they find to eat when they do?