Aster can be perennials or annuals mostly with narrow leaves, and solitary or clustered, daisy-like flowers.
Here are the different types of aster flowers:
Aster Amellus
Aster amellus is a perennial that also goes by the name Italian Starwort, Michaelmas Daisy, and Fall Aster.
This plant produces daisy-like flowers which are violet-blue in color and around 3-5cm in width. They possess a yellow center and are dense and upright in nature.
They only grow to 15″ in height, on average.
Alpine Aster
Alpine aster, or Aster alpinus, is a short-lived perennial that thrives in cold weather.
It is part of the Asteraceae family that also includes daisies.
This ornamental plant is known to bloom early, and you can expect single blossoms on each erect stem.
Harrington’s Pink Aster
Harrington’s Pink Aster (Aster novae-angliae) is known for producing large clusters of pink flowers, these are typically only 1 inch wide.
This is a hardy herbaceous perennial that does well in moist but well-drained soils.
Tatarian Aster
Purple Dome
Purple Dome Asters are separate varieties of Aster novae-angliae. Although, they differ by flowering in purple.
They grow upright and typically reach around 20 inches in height. They typically bloom during the autumn months.
Aster Frikartii
Aster Wartburg Star (Aster Tongolensis)
Aster Wartburg Star (Aster Tongolensis) is a perennial aster that can be grown readily from seeds.
It’s known to grow fast and can reach 24 inches in height.
Wartburg Aster has bushy dark-green foliage with stringy, elliptic-shaped leaves.
Fellowship Aster (Aster Novi-belgii)
Aster novi-belgii (Fellowship Aster) blossoms delicately shaped, pale pink flowers that are typically 2.25-inches in diameter.
This is an upright perennial that grows up to 3 feet. It typically flowers in autumn.
Ada Ballard (Aster novi-belgii)
This aster variety, Aster novi–belgii ‘Ada Ballard‘ (New York Aster), produces masses of large lavender-blue flowers.
Calico Aster
Calico Aster is a perennial plant that is known for possessing white clusters of flowers.
Pink Aster
Pink Aster (Callistephus Chinensis) is one of the easiest varieties of asters to grow. It’s an annual plant that produces double, pink chrysanthemum-like flowers.
These plants are popular among gardeners for adding color late in the season.
They do so vibrantly with compact, semi-double flowers that are particularly disease-resistant.
Sea Aster (Tripolium pannonicum)
Sea aster is a halophyte, meaning that it grows in places that are affected by salinity.
So, these types of asters are found near oceans and beaches. They are also called the seashore aster.
White Cutter Flower (Aster ericoides)
Grunder (Aster amellus)
Aster amellus ‘Grunder‘ (Italian Aster) is a very unique variety.
It possesses lengthy deep lavender-blue flowers and is relatively compact.
This upright herbaceous perennial will grow to around 1 foot, with yellow-centred daisies that are around 5cm in diameter.
New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae)
New England Aster variety, ‘Harrington’s Pink‘ (Aster novae–angliae) possesses several light pink flowers. The plant can grow to around six feet in height.
Jungfrau (Aster x frikartii)
Jungfrau is one of the first asters to bloom each year, where it does so in the late summer to fall – just as other flowers begin to fade.
Little Carlow (Cordifolius hybrid)
‘Little Carlow‘ is a hybrid between cultivars of Aster cordifolius and Aster Novi-belgii.
This plant typically stands at around 2″ in height, blooming violet flowers.
Aster Sedifolius ‘Nanus’ (Rhone Aster)
Short and dense, Aster sedifolius ‘Nanus‘ produces a huge display of lilac-blue flowers.
These flowers are star-shaped and grow to around 1.25 in. diameter. They also possess bright yellow centers.
Aster Dumosus (Bushy Asters)
Close up of the flower head of a variety of Aster Dumosus (Bushy Asters). These types of asters come in a variety of colors including sapphire and wood purple.
Snow Flurry (Aster ericoides f. prostratum)
Snow flurries are low-growing asters that dominate the ground with their spreading stems.
They possess ferny foliage and small leaves that are more like heaths than asters.
Aster Eventide
Aster Eventide possesses a variety of lavender-purple flowers and clusters of semi-double flowers.
Winston Churchill Aster
The Winston Churchill Aster has bold, raspberry red flowers with bright yellow centers.
Treasure Aster
Treasure Aster – Aster novae-angliae ‘Treasure’ (New England Asters): is a beautiful variety of Aster that possesses clusters of big lilac-blue flowers.
Honeysong Pink Aster
Aster Honeysong Pink blossoms pink flowers with bright yellow centers.
How Many Types Of Aster Are There?
There are 600 species of Aster. All of which blossom colorful flowers that entice bees and butterflies with their welcoming fragrance.
Asters are part of the sunflower family.
What Are Other Names For Asters?
According to Thesaurus.net, synonyms for Aster include:
- aster. •flower (noun) cornflower, jonquil, periwinkle, edelweiss, snapdragon, lotus, foxglove, smilax, Queen Anne’s Lace, goldenrod, African Violet, …
- Other synonyms: • cyclamen, camomile, Impatiens, heliotrope, nasturtium, evening primrose, bird of paradise, mum, ling, vetch, freesia, pampas grass
Are Asters Perennials?
Asters are perennial plants. They are easy to grow and thrive during thrive summer months. They bloom a bit later in the season after other flowers start to wither. For example, Asters that are planted in your garden in the spring bloom in the fall. The gorgeous flowers of the Aster stay strong and bright even in the fall.
Is Aster A Daisy?
Asters are daisy-like perennials with starry-shaped flower heads. Aster colors vary from white to blue to purple. Some varieties are even red. Asters are a delightful beauty and thrive in late summer into autumn.
References:
- Plant of the Week: Fragrant Aster
- Garden Asters
- https://plants.usda.gov/java/ClassificationServlet?source=display&classid=Asterales
- Aster | Description, Major Species, & Facts | Britannica – https://www.britannica.com/plant/aster-plant
- Interesting Facts About Aster Flowers – https://www.softschools.com/facts/plants/aster_facts/1305/
