The flower these two are fighting over is a New England ASTER. ASTERS come in purples, lavenders, and a variety of pinks and while you can't see it in this particular photo, the center is yellow. That yellow center is their main characteristic and is actually a cluster of about 300 small yellow disk flowerets. Also known as 'Starworts' or 'Michaelmas Daisies', the name Aster is derived from the Greek word meaning 'Star'

ASTERS have been used for more than a beautiful autumnal flower bed for a very long time. The root has been used for centuries in Chinese medicines and the flower and leaves are also reported to provide health benefits for treating headaches, colds and muscle aches. Interestingly, ASTERS were burned and smoked in ancient times as a means of warding off negative energy.

My beds of ASTERS (most close to 6' tall) have not yet begun to blossom, and for that I am grateful. They are the very last flowers to bloom in my gardens and most seasons when I'm out there in hat and gloves cutting back the rest of my perennials I have only the ASTERS left to provide a very bright spot of color in a very drab autumnal landscape.