Maybe Jindai?

{{gwi:275681}}

vernonia? (NY Ironweed)

Nope, those are not it. But thanks for trying!!! The flowers do look more like those of the Iron Weed though. The leaves are big and almost look like giant dandelion leaves if i remember correctly. Its driving me crazy to not know what it is, hahaha!

Could it be cardoon (Cynara cardunculus)? Katy

Here is a link that might be useful: Plant Files

Is it aster tataricus?

Here is a link that might be useful: tataricus

Sorry for repeating what mollydog said. I didn't realize that 'Jindai' was a tataricus. Moving on.

The leaves look a lot like the tataricus. That might be it, but the flower is different, darker purple with finer petals. Thanks. I'll try and get a pic and post it.

I came across two aster like plants in my garden this fall. I've never seen them before, so thinking that they were weeds, I ripped them out. They sound like what you are describing, about 4 ft. tall. I did see a shorter one on the road near my house, too. I only have one aster in my beds, the 'Purple Dome', so it didn't come from that. Bird droppings? I just hope I didn't rip out something good.