During fall, the landscape is usually sad. Aster flowers provide a very beautiful and happy atmosphere to that otherwise sad scene. Asters flowers are also known as Frost Flowers, Michaelmas Daisies or Starworts. The name ‘Aster’ has been derived from a word of Greek origin which means “star”; they are indeed the superstars of a garden during fall. Aster flowers are easy to grow in average soil but they require the full sun. Mostly Aster plants are perennial while few of them are biennials or annuals. These flowers are the most loved flowers of all people around the world during winters and fall. Being a part of the sunflower family, they resemble daisies a lot as they have yellow centers and ray-like petals. Aster flowers are the September birth flower which represents love, patience, daintiness and good luck. These plants are used for their strong medicinal properties in some parts of the world. The Aster genus has over 500 species. The top 15 Aster flowers are as follows:
1. White Monte Casino:
This is one of the most loved Aster flowers. It is white in color. White Monte Casino looks divinely beautiful. It depicts love and peace. This flower is also used in bridal bouquets as it goes perfectly with a white wedding gown.
2. Purple Monte Casino:
This beautiful purple-colored Aster flower is the first choice for bridal bouquets. They look beautiful and refreshing. Even flower-crowns are made by assembling these flowers together, along with some white Monte Casinos.
3. Alma Potschke:
Alma Potschke is also commonly known as the New England Aster Flower. It usually blooms from August till winter. Having a shade of pink on the petals, this flower looks absolutely amazing. The Alam Potschke plant is usually 4 feet tall.
4. Purple Dome:
Purple Dome is one of the most common Aster flowers, found in most places of the world. It has bright purple flower petals which usually bloom in the months of September and October. The plant is usually 18 inches tall and perfectly enhances your fall landscape.
5. Woods Purple Asters:
Woods Purple Asters are small, bright and beautiful flowers. The plant is usually 8 to 12 inches tall and like all other Aster flowers, it also blooms during fall.
6. Calico Aster:
Calico Aster is also known as the ‘Lady in Black’. They are tiny, shrubby plants with pinkish-white daisies. They are easy to grow in normal temperatures and make your garden look full and fledged.
7. Fellowship Aster:
Fellowship Aster or Aster Novi Belgii Fellowship is completely a different aster flower which has comparatively long petals. They look divine and beautiful. The plant can be 3 feet tall and has a vase life of 5 to 9 days.
8. Monch Aster:
Monch Aster or Aster x frikartii ‘Monch’ is a 2 feet tall plant with light purple and lavender-blue petals on its flowers. When Monch Aster blooms, it tends to form a tidy mound which looks completely beautiful. The time for this flower to bloom is from June to September.
9. Triumph Aster:
Triumph Aster or Aster x alpellus ‘Triumph’ is very different from other Asters. While other Asters usually bloom during fall and winter, this is a petite summer-blooming Aster. It is only 1 foot tall which makes it suitable for container gardens or the front borders of gardens. One more property which makes it unique is that this plant can grow in clayey soil too.
10. Staffa Aster:
Staffa Aster or ‘Wonder of Staffa’ is quite similar to Monch Aster, but it is usually 28 inches tall. It has pale, blue flower petals which are rarely seen. Staffa Aster blooms from midsummer to frost.
11. Red Aster:
The Red Aster is very common and a much-loved flower. As its name suggests, it is red in color with long ray-like petals. The Red Aster flower is not planted in gardens or outdoors. It is also one of the most preferred solo-flower gifts given by people, similar to the red rose.
12. Bright Yellow Aster:
Here comes another beautiful Aster flower. It is a bright yellow-colored flower which resembles sunshine and happiness. The Bright Yellow Aster, like other aster flowers, blooms from midsummer to frost. Though the flower is tiny in size, it looks just perfect in outdoor gardens and container gardens.
13. White Aster:
The White Aster flower is very different from White Monte Casino Aster flowers. While Monte Casino has ray-like petals, this flower has closely-packed petals which seem as if they are joined with each other. This is a small yet very beautiful flower which has a very calming and soothing effect. Unlike usual Asters that are yellow-centered, this White Aster is amongst those exceptions which are not yellow-centered.
14. Big Purple Aster:
This Aster flower is comparatively bigger in size. This is commonly used for the ‘He-Loves-Me-He-Loves-Me-Not’ game by many girls. It has many purple-colored petals with a big yellow center.
15. Blue Tipped Aster:
This is a very unique and beautiful Aster. It has petals that are white in color and blue-tipped. This flower is usually big in size and looks amazingly beautiful during fall and frost. This is also a yellow-centered flower, but because of the high density of petals on it, we are unable to see its dark yellow center. Where do asters grow best? Asters are more common in places that have cool and moist summer days and nights. What to do with asters after flowering? You can cut the foliage off after it has dried. Then they will grow as regular plants in winter until the flowers bloom again in fall. Or, you may leave the foliage as they are to add to your aesthetic. Do asters reseed themselves? Asters that bloom to full maturity may reseed themselves. However, the new blooms may not resemble the parent blooms in color and quality. Do asters grow well in pots? Absolutely! Asters grow well in pots that are slightly wider than the width of the plant and drain well. How long do asters stay in bloom? Usually, asters stay in bloom throughout the fall season until the first frost. Do asters need to be divided? Generally, asters need to be divided at least once in four years. They can be conveniently divided during the spring season when there is new growth.