This aromatic perennial plant is native to 30 states in the eastern portion of the US. According to the USDA, it is listed as rare in Indiana and as threatened in Ohio. It is tolerant of diverse soil and watering conditions and flowers in Fall. It spreads by stolons and can be grown from seed, vegetative cutting, or division.

For more information: https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_syob.pdf

Shown here are Public Domain images of the flower and a creative commons image of the plant's vegetation.

This species was reassigned from Aster to Symphyotrichyum. Aster will attract and feed many butterflies - over 100 shown on the left pane. Symphyotrichyum will also appeal to many butterflies, most especially the 42 listed below:
1. Aglais milberti
2. Agraulis vanillae
3. Anthanassa texana
4. Atalopedes campestris
5. Celastrina neglecta 
6. Chlosyne lacinia 
7. Coenonympha tullia
8. Colias eurytheme
9. Colias philodice 
10. Cupido comyntas
11. Danaus plexippus
12. Dymasia dymas 
13. Erynnis tristis
14. Euptoieta claudia
15. Heliopetes ericetorum
16. Hemiargus ceraunus
17. Hesperia colorado 
18. Hesperia pahaska 
19. Hesperia woodgatei
20. Junonia coenia 
21. Kricogonia lyside
22. Lerodea eufala
23. Panoquina ocola
24. Pholisora catullus
25. Phyciodes mylitta 
26. Phyciodes tharos
27. Pieris angelika 
28. Pieris rapae
29. Poanes hobomok
30. Poanes melane
31. Poanes taxiles 
32. Polites mardon
33. Polites peckius
34. Pontia protodice
35. Pyrgus communis
36. Pyrgus scriptura 
37. Pyrisitia lisa 
38. Vanessa annabella
39. Vanessa atalanta
40. Vanessa cardui
41. Vanessa virginiensis
42. Zerene cesonia