This handsome aster provides pollinator resources later in the summer when other flowers have called it quits. Silver dollar-size purple flowers with yellow centers attract a variety of bees, including bumbles. While the plant does indeed sport large smooth deep green leaves, its name comes from the leafy bracts just below the flowers...the kind of detail botanists are really into. 
 
This particular variety grows naturally in moist open montane forest and thicket edges, and would be an excellent choice for an irrigated garden border. Try to keep sun exposure to mornings, or at least avoid late afternoon death ray sun. This species would benefit from a good loamy soil and maybe some compost on top if you want to really maximize flower production. 
 
I think leafy aster would look nice with black-eyed susan, anise hyssop, meadow-rue, and pearly everlasting.