Aster
Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Asteromoea
- Kalimeris
- Phonetic Spelling
- ASS-ter
- Description
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Reportedly, there are over 250 different types of asters growing all over the world. Botanists have reclassified this genus after studying the plant's morphology and DNA. The Aster genus is restricted to plants native to Europe and Asia. The species native to North America belong to two other genera, Symphyotrichum and Eurybia. The common name remains Aster for all the genera.
Asters have daisy-like flowers 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, and they add color to the garden as the seasons change. The plant is erect and mounding. Its height may range from 6 inches to 8 feet tall with a width of 1 to 3 feet.
Asters are a member of the Asteraceae family. The name Aster is Greek, meaning "star," and refers to the appearance of the flowers.
This genus is native to Eurasia, northwest Africa, Canada, and the northwest United States.
Depending on the species, the plant may tolerate full sun or prefer partial shade. Some species are more drought-tolerant while others may tolerate more moisture. They prefer rich loamy or clay soils. They may be propagated by seeds, division, root cuttings, or stem cuttings.
The plant has tuberous roots or woody rhizomes. The stems may be single or multibranched. They have basal and cauline leaves. The leaf shape varies depending on the species. The flowers have disc florets that may be white or yellow. The rays encircle the floret, and their colors vary from white, pink, blue, or purple. The seeds have tufts of bristles that help them to be dispersed by the wind.
Any species or cultivars of this genus would be a lovely addition to any home garden. It may be planted in a container for use on a porch or patio. It will also add color to a cottage garden or border garden. Butterflies and bees will appreciate the flowers, particularly as summer is ending and the evenings are getting cooler.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: The Aster genus has no serious problems. It would be wise to monitor 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:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Aster
- Family:
- Asteraceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eurasia to Jawa, NW. Africa, Subarctic America to NW. U.S.A
- Distribution:
- Native: Afghanistan, Austria, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, China North-Central, China South-Central, China Southeast, Czechoslovakia, East European Russia, East Himalaya, France Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Hungary, Inner Mongolia, Iran, Italy, Japan, Korea, Krym, Manchuria, Mongolia, Morocco, Nepal, North European Russia, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Romania, South European Russia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Turkey, Ukraine, Vietnam, Yugoslavia; Canada--Alberta, British Columbia, Northwest Territories, and Yukon; USA--AK, CO, ID, and WY; Introduced: USA--AL, CT, DE, GA, HI, IL, IA, KY, MA, MI, NJ, NC, OH, PA, RI, TN, and WV; Northwest Russia;
- 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
- Dimensions:
- Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Perennial
- Wildflower
- Habit/Form:
- Ascending
- Erect
- Mounding
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Medium
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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
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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.
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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.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Smooth
- Soft
- 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 plant has 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.
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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.
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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
