Aster
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Asteromoea
- Kalimeris
- Phonetic Spelling
- ASS-ter
- Description
-
This genus has 186 species and is restricted to those asters native to Europe and Asia. They are a member of the Asteraceae family. Botanists have reclassified this genus after studying the plant's morphology and DNA. The species native to North America, formerly included in Aster, belong to two other genera, Symphyotrichum and Eurybia. The common name remains aster for all the genera. The genus name is Greek, meaning "star," and refers to the appearance of flowers.
They can be erect to mounding in form and grow 6 inches to 8 feet tall. Soil, sun and moisture requirements may vary per species. They may be propagated by seeds, division, root cuttings, or stem cuttings.
Asters have daisy-like heads of flowers with disc florets surrounded by ray florets and come in a variety of colors. They are easy to grow and require very little maintenance. They typically bloom in the late summer and fall adding color to the garden as the seasons change.
The species available in this country would be a lovely addition to any home garden. They may be planted in a container, in a cottage garden or the border. Butterflies and bees will appreciate the flowers, particularly as summer ends and the evenings get cooler.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: No significant problems. Watch for lace bugs, mites, aphids, and Japanese beetles. Rusts, powdery mildew, downy mildew, leaf spots, and Verticillium wilt can occur.
VIDEO: Part of the Native Plant Picks series from the North Carolina Sea Grant led Coastal Landscapes Initiative.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Vegetable, Herb and Mostly Native Pollinator Garden Native Plant Demonstration Garden All Saints' Episcopal Church
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aster
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Europe and Asia
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers attract butterflies and bees. Deer and rabbits may browse the plants and eat the foliage.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Easy to Grow
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Some Asian species are considered edible
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
-
-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
-
-
Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- White
- Fruit Type:
- Achene
- Fruit Description:
- The seeds or achenes are ellipsoid or obovoid in shape and have white or brown tufts of hair or pappus. The wind disperses the seeds.
-
-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- Gold/Yellow
- Pink
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Long Bloom Season
- Long-lasting
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Radial
- Flower Petals:
- 7 - 20 petals/rays
- Bracts
- more than 20 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are daisy-like. The disc florets may be yellow to white. As the flower matures, the disc florets become purplish to reddish-pink. The rays vary in number and may be white, pink, blue, or purple. They bloom from late summer to fall.
-
-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Smooth
- Soft
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Elliptical
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Oblanceolate
- Ovate
- Spatulate
- Leaf Margin:
- Crenate
- Entire
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The plants have basal and cauline leaves. Depending on the species, the leaf shape, margins, and surfaces of the leaf may vary. The leaf shape may be elliptical, lanceolate, linear, oblanceolate, ovate, or spatulate. The margins may be entire, crenate, or serrate. The upper leaf surface may be smooth or hairy.
-
-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are ascending to erect. They may be singular or branched distally. The stems are usually hairy distally, but they are often smooth proximally.
-
-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Small Space
- Walkways
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Cottage Garden
- Cutting Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Small groups
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Hummingbirds
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
