Eastern Showy Aster, Eurybia spectabilis

Eastern showy aster also known as purple wood aster, is an herbaceous perennial native to the eastern United States. It is present along the coastal plain of the U.S. where it is most often found growing in dry, sandy soils.

It has bright purple flowers with yellow centers, which bloom August-October. It grows well in dry, sandy soils and is tolerant of salt spray. It spreads by rhizomes (underground stems) to form loose colonies. Use in sunny

Although it is not considered threatened due to its extensive range, it is locally endangered in many states. The flowers appear in the fall and show ray florets that are a violet-purple and yellow disc florets.