New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae), also called hairy Michaelmas daisy, is a popular cultivated plant that is marginally naturalized in Kathryn Albertson Park.  An abundance of glandular hairs helps distinguish this non-native species from the several native species of Symphyotrichum that also occur in the Boise Front lowlands.  Glandular hairs are also abundant on entire-leaved aster (Eurybia integrifolia), but that native species occurs locally only in dry openings in the Conifer Zone (e.g., Mores Mountain trailhead).

The many cultivars of New England aster provide excellent fall color in the garden and help support pollinators during this season; these same horticultural functions could potentially be provided by locally native counterparts, particularly in wildland situations.