New England aster for birds in West Virginia
Late nectar for insects and fall seed for sparrows. Native to West Virginia, where it feeds or shelters 119 backyard bird species.
- Scientific name
- Symphyotrichum novae-angliae
- Native status
- Native in West Virginia
- Hardiness zones
- USDA 5b–7a
- What birds get from it
- seed, insects for nestlings
- West Virginia birds supported
- 119
- Nesting birds among them
- 103
Growing conditions in West Virginia
Humid continental Appalachian state with high ridges and deep river valleys.
Warm, humid summers; high ridges host northern breeders.
West Virginia birds that use New England aster
Year-round residents (55)
Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, American Goldfinch, Tufted Titmouse, White-breasted Nuthatch, House Finch, Carolina Wren, Mourning Dove, American Robin, Dark-eyed Junco, Song Sparrow, Red-bellied Woodpecker, Northern Flicker, Pileated Woodpecker, Red-headed Woodpecker, Red-breasted Nuthatch, Brown Creeper, Common Grackle, Red-winged Blackbird, Eastern Towhee, Northern Mockingbird, Eastern Screech-Owl, House Sparrow, European Starling, American Crow, Common Raven, Cooper's Hawk, Sharp-shinned Hawk, Red-tailed Hawk, Barred Owl, Great Horned Owl, American Kestrel, Wood Duck, Wild Turkey, Northern Bobwhite, Mallard, Great Blue Heron, Belted Kingfisher, Eastern Meadowlark, Brown-headed Cowbird, Field Sparrow, Hooded Merganser, Canada Goose, Killdeer, Turkey Vulture, Black Vulture, Bald Eagle, Red-shouldered Hawk, Peregrine Falcon, Barn Owl, Horned Lark, Rock Pigeon
Summer breeders (48)
Purple Martin, House Wren, Chipping Sparrow, Baltimore Oriole, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, Indigo Bunting, Gray Catbird, Brown Thrasher, Tree Swallow, Barn Swallow, Eastern Phoebe, Chimney Swift, Pine Warbler, Wood Thrush, Great Crested Flycatcher, Eastern Kingbird, Scarlet Tanager, Gray Catbird, Lark Sparrow, Yellow Warbler, Common Yellowthroat, American Redstart, Black-and-white Warbler, Yellow-throated Warbler, Prothonotary Warbler, Ovenbird, Yellow-breasted Chat, Red-eyed Vireo, Warbling Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, Eastern Wood-Pewee, Cliff Swallow, Northern Rough-winged Swallow, Bank Swallow, Common Nighthawk, Eastern Whip-poor-will, American Coot, Spotted Sandpiper, American Woodcock, Green Heron, Great Egret, Black-crowned Night Heron, Osprey, Savannah Sparrow, Vesper Sparrow, Dickcissel, Blue Grosbeak, Yellow-billed Cuckoo
Winter visitors (16)
Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird
Snowy winters at elevation; valleys milder.
Nesting season it supports in West Virginia
Plants that feed adults and host caterpillars matter most while nestlings are in the nest. Local nesting windows for birds that use New England aster:
- Northern Cardinal — April–August
- Eastern Bluebird — April–August
- Carolina Chickadee — April–June
- Purple Martin — May–July
- Downy Woodpecker — April–June
- Hairy Woodpecker — April–June
- American Goldfinch — July–September
- Tufted Titmouse — April–June
- White-breasted Nuthatch — April–June
- House Wren — May–August
Native plants to pair with New England aster in West Virginia
Hosts hundreds of caterpillar species; spring flowers draw early insects.
Fat-rich red fall fruit taken by thrushes, bluebirds and woodpeckers.
Early-summer berries arrive exactly when nestlings are being fed.
Frequently asked
Is New England aster native to West Virginia?
Yes. New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is recorded as native in West Virginia. West Virginia spans USDA 5b–7a.
What birds does New England aster attract in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, New England aster supports 119 backyard birds, including Northern Cardinal, Eastern Bluebird, Carolina Chickadee, Purple Martin, Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker.
Does New England aster help nesting birds in West Virginia?
103 of those birds nest in West Virginia: Northern Cardinal (April–August), Eastern Bluebird (April–August), Carolina Chickadee (April–June), Purple Martin (May–July).
Which winter birds use New England aster in West Virginia?
Winter visitors Purple Finch, White-throated Sparrow, Yellow-bellied Sapsucker, Pine Siskin, Yellow-rumped Warbler, American Tree Sparrow, White-crowned Sparrow, Fox Sparrow, Ruby-crowned Kinglet, Golden-crowned Kinglet, Hermit Thrush, Winter Wren, Merlin, Northern Saw-whet Owl, Swamp Sparrow, Rusty Blackbird use it in West Virginia during the cold months.
Sources
- USDA PLANTS Database (native distribution)
- VASCAN (Canadian native distribution)
- eBird region overview and bar charts — West Virginia
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023)
- Audubon Native Plants Database
Timing reflects typical patterns for the region as a whole; local dates vary with elevation and year. Check the linked eBird bar charts for your county.