The name 'Grape Crush' throws us back to the 90s and the days of Capri Sun, Fruit Rollups, and Nickelodeon. And with a flower color so richly, deeply purple, it's easy to see how a certain grape-flavored soda inspired this nostalgic name. With its compact mounding form, dark foliage, and late, dense bloom, Grape Crush New England Aster really packs a punch in the autumn garden. Plus, no cutbacks needed to keep its tidy shape!
Conditions: Full sun; average to moist soils
Size: 2'-2.5’ tall, 3'-3.5' spread
Zone: 3 - 8
Wildlife Value: Flowers attract variety of small bees, bumblebees, flower flies, and skippers; seeds provide late season food for birds
Photos: Samantha Nestory, David Korbonits