Sometimes called railroad Annie, it is one is can be purchased in a nursery or started by seeds. Its tap root makes it impossible to dig successfully, plus it is wrong to dig wildflowers. Once established in your garden it will reseed as well as come up from the root. I have many plants growing on the outside of my garden fence in a dry, sandy spot and this one thrives there along with the Poppies , S alvias , and G aillardia . Now many asters start to bloom and attract the monarchs, pearl crescents, painted lady, sulphur and skippers.
Asters love to grow in full sun in a most soil.
They look beautiful in meadow like garden with goldenrod, native greases and Joe Pyre weed, also a butterfly magnet. Hardy asters come up each year, but often spread more than some gardeners like, so plant them where they can increase. They bloom long into fall , often when other flowers a finished if deadheaded and given ample water. Another very easy to grow plant is the gaillardia or blanketflowers .These attract many different butterflies included questions marks, comma, viceroy, monarch, painted lady fritillaries, skippers and swallowtails. Another really easy to grow and fast to return each year perennial is the garden or Summer Phlox .