Aster Flowers

Aster Flowers Meaning, Care And Pictures

Name : Aster Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Aster, (Aster novae anglias)
Aster Description

Aster is a genus of about 600 flowering plants in the family Asteraceae. Asters are native to Europe, Asia and North America. Aster derives its name from the Greek word for 'star' and refers to the star shape of the flower head.

Common names include Starworts, Michaelmas daisies or Frost flowers. In Latin “wort” means “root” which signifies the plant’s healing properties.

Asters are hardy perennials which produce an abundance of flowers. Asters are exquisite and fascinating blossoms, with their wildflower beauty and lush texture, asters have long been considered an enchanted flower.

Aster flowers can be found in a rainbow of colours – white, red, pink, purple, lavender and blue, with mostly yellow centers.

Asters are measure about 1 - 1.5 inch and are very complicated flowers. An Aster flower is actually a collection of extremely small tubular flowers that are grouped together in a central disk, and surrounded by a ring of ray flowers or petals. In many cases the colour of the disk flowers is different from the petals so that the entire flower head looks like a single flower with a central disk surrounded by multi-coloured petals. The ray flowers on the Asters are never yellow in colour.

Aster leaves are dark green and can also be long, thin and pointed. Asters bloom in late summer and fall, but Alpine asters (Aster alpinus) flower in May and June. There are two main groups of Asters: New England Asters (Aster novae anglias) and New York Asters (Aster nova belgii).

Asters are famous for their showy flowers and are one of the easiest garden perennials to cultivate. The most common disease that attacks Asters is powdery mildew. If not handled properly, it can prove to be a big problem. This can be remedied by planting Asters in a sunny spot with good air circulation. Asters are known to attract birds, bees and butterflies because they are fragrant and colourful. So including Asters to your garden will not only add colour, but also beautify its sights and sounds by attracting charming butterflies and chirping birds.

Many Aster species are drought resistant. The seeds of Bushy Asters look like parachutes and are dispersed by wind. Asters propagate by division and can also be grown from seed sown indoors at about 70 degrees F or may be sown directly into the garden after the danger of frost has passed. Germination may take from 15 to 30 days, depending on the temperature. Asters should ideally be planted in moist, well-drained soil in full sun, but they can also tolerate light shading. Mature Aster clumps should be divided every 3 - 4 years in early spring, or late fall after the flowering has finished. Pinch back the tops by 6-8 inches at least once during the summer, preferably prior to July, to create a bushier plant and to prolong the fall bloom. Asters require regular watering at their roots.

Popular varieties of Asters include Lindley's Aster (Aster ciliolatus), New England Aster (Aster novae-angliae), Many-Flowered Aster (Aster ericoides), Western Silvery Aster (Aster sericeus), Willow Aster (Aster hesperius), Flat-Topped White Aster (Aster umbellatus), Smooth Aster (Aster laevis) and Alpine Aster (Aster alpinus)

Aster Meaning

The aster is the birth flower for the month of September and also holds the honour of being the 20th wedding anniversary flower. Asters are also considered to be a symbol of Love, Daintiness, Patience, Contentment and Unpredictability. They also signify the meaning “Love of Variety.”

The aster flower also symbolises Afterthought and was laid on the graves of soldiers.

Today, Asters are known as a Talisman of Love and a Symbol of Patience.

Aster Mythology

Asters enjoy a special place in mythology as well. They were considered sacred to Roman and Greek deities and wreaths of asters were placed on their altars. Aster leaves were burnt to ward off evil spirits and drive away serpents in ancient Greece.

Asters were also used to make an ointment to cure the bite from a mad dog. Virgil wrote that the flavour of honey would be improved if asters boiled in wine were placed near a beehive.

Legend has it that the field bloomed with asters when Virgo scattered stardust on the earth. Another myth claims that the Goddess Asterea began to cry when she looked down upon the earth and saw no stars and asters bloomed where her tears fell.

Asters were commonly known as “Eye of Christ” in France and “Starwort” in England and Germany. It was believed at that time that Asters carry magical powers. The early English name “Starwort” was later changed to “Michaelmas Daisy” since it blooms around St. Michaelmas Day in September.