In the autumn, asthers may fill your garden with lovely vistas of purple and pink hues. They are a kind of magnificent perennial bloom. When other plants have stopped blooming, planting various varieties of asters in your garden will brighten it up. Purple or lilac are the most common aster flower colors. Yet, pink, white, red, and blue asters are also common.
Asters are called Asteraceae, which means “family of stars” in Greek. The flowers of common asters have a distinct star shape, as can be seen in photographs. The petals of plants in the Aster genus resemble rays of sunlight spreading out from a yellow center.
Asters are associated with daisies, sunflowers, chrysanthemums, marigolds, and echinacea plants because they belong to the order Asterales. There are around 180 different types of aster, as well as hundreds of hybrids and cultivars.
New England asters (Aster novae-angliae) and New York asters (Aster novi-belgii) are two of the most popular types of asters. New England asters grow to be 3 to 4 feet tall, on average. They may grow to be as tall as 1.2 meters. The height of asters in New York is usually around 2 feet (60 cm). Some cultivars, on the other hand, may grow to be over 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall.
The stunning flowers of ansters last from late summer until late fall, making them one of the last plants to bloom in gardens. Bees and butterflies rely on these late-blooming perennial plants as important food sources. In the autumn, they also add beautiful hues to your garden.
The many different types of asters that you can grow in your garden will be discussed in this article. Asters grow well in well-drained soil and receive full to partial sunlight.
Types of Asters With Pictures
The two most common varieties of asters in gardens are New England asters and New York asters. You’ll learn more about additional asters species at the conclusion of the article.
New England Asters (Aster novae-angliae)
New England asters are regarded by most people as the most stunning of all the aster species. The Spympyotrichum novae-angliae or Aster novae-angliae is the name of this plant genus. One of the most prevalent plants to flower in fall is the native North American plant. Here are a few of the New England aster cultivars that are especially stunning.
Barr’s Pink (Aster novae-angliae)
Due to its showy pink colored flowers, Barr’s Pink aster is one of the taller aster species available. Multiple rows of tightly packed tiny pink-colored petals fan out in a star shape on this aster’s flowers. This aster cultivar has a bronze center at the heart, giving it the classic daisy appearance.
The flowerheads of these aster blossoms grow up to 2.25″ (5.7 cm) across, making them very appealing. This aster species is a nice addition to autumn gardens because of the flowering cluster stems.
Purple Cloud (Aster novae-angliae)
The ‘Purple Cloud’ aster is a kind of aster found in New England that belongs to the same species. Many clusters of gorgeous purple blooms with yellow center disks are produced by each perennial plant. In late summer and fall, when the plant blooms, it has a bright bushy appearance.
The petals of this aster bloom are tiny purple flowers arranged in rows. The purple blooms appear on the flower stalks, which grow to about 3 feet (100 cm) tall. To get the most from its gorgeous blooms, plant in full sun like with all asters.
Rosa Sieger Aster (Aster novae-angliae)
The petals of the Rosa Sieger are delicate pink, while the center is bright yellow. It is a New England aster cultivar. In September and October, the tiny blossoms with their rich autumn hues stand out in any garden. Because of the abundance of color on each plant, these asters are bushy. The asters grow to be about 3 to 4 feet (90 to 120 cm) tall and spread up to 2 feet (60 cm).
September Ruby (Aster novae-angliae)
The burgundy-colored petals of the aster cultivar September Ruby are complemented by a yellow center. From a brilliant yellow disk center, the ruby-red petals fan out in a star-shaped pattern. This bushy perennial’s rich green leaves contrast with the foliage on this New England aster cultivar. The purple and yellow September Ruby, like other New England asters, grows to be 3 to 4 feet (90 to 120 cm) tall.
‘KICKIN’ New England Asters
The petals of the KICKIN’ New England Asters are circular and come in a variety of colors, including lilac blue (main), pink chiffon (uppers), and carmine red (lowers). In late summer through the autumn, these are bushy perennial flowering cultivars that create a riot of color. Asters sold as ‘KICKIN’ are usually blooming bushes with a sea of autumn hues that produce a lot of foliage.
‘KICKIN Lilac Blue’ It’s one of the many types of blue asters that bloom on one stem. The lovely blue petals and yellow disk centers distinguish these light-blue purple asters from the rest. The green foliage on the stems is almost hidden by the number of blooms on each plant.
‘KICKIN Pink Chiffon’ It’s a mass of light pink, almost white, aster blossoms that comes from a New England aster cultivar. The classic daisy shape characterizes each flower-head, which includes semi-double blooms. When the ray petals bloom in late summer and fall, they create a dazzling sea of light hues surrounding a circular yellow core. Since it only grows between 24 and 36 inches (60 and 90 cm), this kind of aster makes a good border plant.
‘KICKIN Carmine Red’ Another gorgeous kind of aster that produces a vivid shrub in the autumn is another. Bright yellow disks in the middle of these semi-double blooms make them magenta-red. They feature a yellow button-like center, similar to most asters.
New York Asters (Aster novi-belgii)
Michaelmas daisies are a type of New York aster (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii or Aster novi-belgii). This genus includes several thousand cultivars with purple, pink, and white blooms that bloom in late summer and fall. In the genera of New England asters, New York asters are also more colorful than the plain flowers.
Despite variations in cultivars, New York asters may be substantially shorter and create far more spectacular blooms. Some asters, for example, might grow to be 6 feet (1.8 meters) or less in height.
Ada Ballard Asters (Aster novi-belgii)
The aster cultivar Ada Ballard has several layers of bright purple petals. With multiple layers of petals, the lavender-blue petals create a huge flower head. These huge blossoms bloom on the top of lengthy green stalks and are roughly 3″ (7.6 cm) tall. Due to the bushy appearance of the flowers, the ‘Ada Ballard’ aster has a yellow center that is difficult to discern. These asters reach a height of about 3 feet (90 cm) and have a spread of approximately 2 feet (60 cm).
Chatterbox New York Asters
The ‘Chatterbox’ asters are another kind of New York aster with semi-double lilac blooms. Semi-double blooms of this bushy perennial flowering bloom are light lilac-pink in hue and have a slender, rounded end. A bright yellow disk sits in the midst of the bushy bloom.
The ‘Chatterbox’ variety is a dwarf plant, as are most other aster cultivars. These colorful garden borders are created by flowering plants that bloom in the fall and reach a height of 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm).
Royal Ruby (Aster novi-belgii)
In the fall, choose ‘Royal Ruby’ asters for your garden if you want to add vibrant pinks and reds to your garden. These small, low-maintenance flowers have petals that are thin and form a classic daisy shape. The dark yellow-bronze center of these lovely pink flowers. The bright crimson and pink blooms set off the green lance-shaped leaves. In the autumn, these are excellent border plants that provide brilliant hues.
Fellowship Asters (Aster novi-belgii)
The ‘Fellowship’ aster cultivar produces stunning autumn blooms with its quill-shaped light pink bushy petals. A cluster of double flowers with a diameter of about 2.25″ (6 cm) emerges on this fall perennial bushy plant. The yellow centers of the flowers turn lime-green when they mature in late fall. In the autumn, ‘Fellowship’ asters are a fantastic option if you want to liven up your garden with vivid blooms.
Prof. Anton Kippenberg Asters
Professorship is a term used to describe the work of academics. Anton Kippengberg’s aster has yellow centers with lilac blooms. When they bloom in late summer, these purple and yellow daisy-type flowers produce a large number of flowers. Their light lilac blooms and yellow disk centers make a lovely flourish of color in the late autumn garden, and their semi-double blooms are in the classic aster star shape.
These New York asters are ideal for planting along the edges or in pots since they only grow to a height of between 12″ and 24″ (30 – 60 cm).
Other Types of Asters
There are many more kinds of stunning asters in addition to the hundreds of aster cultivars from New York and New England. The most unusual aster cultivars that bloom in the autumn are listed below.
Nanus Asters (Aster sedifolius)
The genus Galatella belongs to the aster family, and its flowers are star-shaped and purple. These asters have just 5 to 10 petals, as opposed to the usual 15 to 30 petals seen in other asters in the family Asteraceae. When the flowers bloom in the fall, they produce a lovely star effect and produce clusters that are very attractive.
The elongated lilac petals and brilliant yellow centers of the ‘Nanus’ asters distinguish them. This species of low-growing aster can only reach a height of 2 feet (60 cm) and have a similar spread.
Snow Flurry (Aster ericoides f. prostratum)
It is clear where the name of these low-growing aster comes from when you look at photos of them. These little bushes produce a lot of tiny white flowers that turn into asters. Snow Flurry asters have tiny flowers that are barely 0.5 in (1 cm) across, as compared to other asters. They have tiny pale-yellow round centers and their small petals are arranged in a star formation.
These lovely perennials seem to be more of a ground cover plant that spreads out. They only reach a height of 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm) and have a spread of up to 24 inches (60 cm). If you want a sea of white color in late summer until the end of fall, plant ‘Snow Flurries’ in a sunny area of your garden.
King George (Aster amellus)
This purple blooming aster is a hybrid in the Aster amellus range (also known as Italian asters) and is available for autumn planting. Because of their huge violet blossoms and golden yellow centers, many individuals consider ‘King George’ asters to be among the best kinds. The bushy plant’s dark green oval-shaped leaves contrast beautifully with the purple blossoms.
Rosa Erfullung (Aster amellus)
Because of their sprays of brilliantly colored blooms, ‘Rosa Erfullung’ asters are stunning when they bloom in the autumn. These fast-growing aster species, known as ‘Pink Zenith,’ are also known as Italian asters. Large star-shaped blooms that are vivid purple-pink with golden center are seen on these plants. Late in the season, a garden can be colorful with sprays of brilliant flowers. The aster stems will grow to be 2 feet (60 cm) tall and span between 1 and 2 feet (30 – 60 cm), according toEXPECT.
Grunder Asters (Aster amellus)
Blue and yellow flowers adorn ‘Grunder’ asters, which are tiny in stature. Italian asters or European Michaelmas daisies are popular names for these asters with deep lavender blooms. Others claim that the flowers stand for “friend departed.” Long thin petals in a star shape adorn the flowers on ‘Grunder’ asters.
In a garden, the brilliant yellow centers stand out. The aster family’s asters usually bloom early in the season and continue to bloom into late autumn. They may reach a height of 8″ to 20″ (20 cm) in the future.
Sapphire (Aster dumosus)
Low-growing aster flowers with purple petals are known as the ‘Sapphire’ cultivar. Sturdy stems on ‘Sapphire’ asters don’t need stalking and aren’t stalkable. Each spray has a profusion of delicate, bright lilac flowers with golden centers. If you want stunning autumn colors, try planting these low-growing asters along borders or growing them in containers.
These ‘Sapphire’ asters are especially good for attracting bees and butterflies in September and October because they bloom throughout the late summer and fall season.
‘Monch’ Frikart’s Asters (Aster frikartii)
Frikart’s asters are among the first to bloom, and they create a sea of gorgeous lavender blooms in the heat of summer. They are in fact among the first asters to bloom and continue to do so until the autumn ends. The golden-yellow centers of the huge starry blossoms are up to 2″ (5 cm) wide.
The thick stems can grow up to 3 feet (90 cm) tall and spread out in the same way. The dark green bushy plant becomes a lovely lavender-purple shrub when these perennial asters bloom. They’re particularly nice for cut flower arrangements or placement in vases because of their sturdy stalks and lovely sprays.
Little Carlow Asters (Cordifolius Hybrid)
New York asters and Aster cordifolius are mixed together to create these lovely daisy blooms. The amount of single blooms on each stalk is one of the most stunning aspects of these asters. The petals of the star-shaped blooms are lilac-blue, the centers of which are brilliant yellow, and they measure 1″ (2 cm) in diameter.
These 3-foot-tall (90-centimeter-)high aster plants have a moderate spread. This aster hybrid has bushy stems and an array of lovely lilac blooms. Clumping plants may be sown in full sun, where you want bright autumn hues at the conclusion of the season.
Symphyotrichum ‘Ochtendgloren’ Asters
It’s simple to understand why the exquisite flowers of ‘Ochtendgloren’ asters have earned honors when they bloom in the fall. The bright yellow center of the long thin pink petals seem to be rays from the sun. The bushy plant is covered in starry blossoms that obstruct your view of the lovely green leaves. The Dutch word ochtendgloren means “dawn,” and these gorgeous pink starry blossoms are a perfect example of why.
The height of these aster cultivars is one of their most stunning features. The tall stems, which may stretch up to 3 feet (0.9 meters) and have a spread of up to 4 feet (1.2 meters), grow to 4 and 5 feet (1.2 and 1.5 meters). They’ll add gorgeous hues of pink to your yard when they bloom in autumn.