Symphyotrichum (Aster) novae-angliae 'Vibrant Dome' (New England Aster)

Aster novae-angliae (syn. Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) 'Vibrant Dome' is a richly colored sport cultivar of another compact, mounding aster cultivar called 'Purple Dome,' and as such, grows to only 15-30" tall in small mounds. This New England aster cultivar is a late season bloomer, and provides color to the garden and food for pollinators from late summer well into October. 'Vibrant Dome' New England aster flowers best in full sun, but can also be grown in part sun, and grows well in a variety of garden conditions including container plantings, locations with wet soil, and areas with higher salt.

Typically a sport cultivar is produced by propagating part of another plant with different color or growth characteristics, and in this case, a 'Purple Dome' aster produced one branch with especially vibrant pink-purple hues that was successfully propagated into the 'Vibrant Dome' cultivar. Sport cultivars may not be true to seed, and should be propagated by separation.