Late-Season Asters at Bowman's Hill: Identify, Plant, and Support Pollinators

Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve rises along the Delaware River corridor near New Hope, Pennsylvania. Knowing Native Plants: Classic Asters and Their Colorful Companions is a focused, three-hour field class led by naturalist Mary Anne Borge that teaches how to identify asters and related late-season bloomers, where they grow, and which species make reliable additions to a wildlife-friendly garden. The meeting point is Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve.

On the walk you'll study classic asters—New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) and aromatic aster (Symphyotrichum oblongifolium)—alongside boneset (Eupatorium perfoliatum), white snakeroot (Ageratina altissima) and mistflower (Conoclinium coelestinum). Look for differences in leaf texture, flowerhead arrangement, and habitats from sunny meadow edges to moist woodland margins. The preserve's mosaic of meadow, oak-hickory woodland, and riparian edge creates the variety of soils and light conditions these species prefer, making it an ideal outdoor classroom.

Borge combines field expertise, photography and practical gardening advice. As editor of Butterfly Gardener Magazine and a Pennsylvania master naturalist, she explains pollinator relationships—the role of asters in sustaining late-season bees and butterflies—and how seedheads and stems support birds through fall and winter. Expect thoughtful instruction on species selection for pollinator gardens, including bloom times that extend into November and maintenance tips for home habitats.

This workshop is part of the Knowing Native Plants series, an annual set of 14 Saturday classes that form the backbone of the preserve's Native Plant Advocate Program. The series emphasizes local plant communities and how biology governs where species thrive. Participants often leave with a prioritized plant list and confidence to match species to specific garden conditions.

Practical details: bring a field guide, notebook, sturdy shoes and water; the terrain is generally easy but uneven in places. Photography opportunities concentrate on close-up flowerheads, contrasting seedheads and pollinators. The walk is ideal for gardeners, naturalists and anyone curious about why asters dominate late-season floral displays in southeastern Pennsylvania.

Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve is more than scenery; it is a working conservation landscape where restoration, education and community programs like Lambertville Goes Wild and National Wildlife Federation habitat efforts intersect. This class offers both botanical rigor and actionable ideas to bring native asters into your yard—and to keep local pollinators fed through the shoulder seasons.

Expect hands-on demonstrations of identification techniques: using bract and pappus clues, comparing involucral bracts, and reading habitat cues that separate look-alikes. The instructor will discuss seed collection ethics, propagation basics and native plant sourcing in the region. Suitable for beginners and experienced gardeners alike, the walk accommodates a range of ages and encourages questions. Check Bowman's Hill Wildflower Preserve event listings for exact meeting time and any rain-date policy; registration is required through the preserve's booking system. Bring layered clothing and insect repellent.