Aster flowers belong to the Asteraceae family and are popular late-season garden plants. They provide color when many summer blooms have faded. The name “Aster” is derived from the Greek word for “star,” referencing the flower’s distinct, radiant shape. These hardy perennials are valued for their reliable bloom time, extending color well into autumn.
The Primary Color Palette
The color range of Asters focuses on the cool side of the spectrum, spanning purples, blues, pinks, and whites. Purple is the most common and widely recognized color, ranging from deep violet to soft lavender. Asters also offer true blue shades, which are relatively uncommon in the plant world, alongside various pinks and reds.
White Asters provide a neutral anchor to the palette, making them highly versatile in design. A distinctive feature of most Aster flowers is their central disk florets, which are almost universally bright yellow or orange-yellow. The ray petals rarely display a true yellow or orange hue, differentiating them from other daisy-like flowers.
Key Species and Their Hues
The New England Aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) is one of the most recognized species, naturally occurring in shades from deep rose-purple to lavender. Selective breeding has also yielded variations of this species in strong pinks and pure whites.
The ‘Purple Dome’ cultivar, a New England Aster, is known for its compact growth habit and intense, deep purple flowers. For cooler tones, the Smooth Aster (Symphyotrichum laeve) frequently displays pale blue or blue-violet ray flowers. The Calico Aster (Symphyotrichum lateriflorum) is known for its tiny, profuse white blooms that emerge in a cloud-like display.
Using Aster Colors in Garden Design
Gardeners use Aster colors to extend the visual appeal of landscapes into the cooler months. The deep purples and blues offer a striking contrast to the late-season golds and oranges of autumn plants, such as Goldenrod or Mums. Planting blue or violet Asters next to bright yellow foliage maximizes this color contrast, making both colors appear more vibrant.
White Asters brighten areas that might otherwise appear dark or shaded in the fall. Mass plantings of a single color, such as deep pink or lavender Asters, create a strong visual effect. Utilizing the varied heights and hues of different species allows for layered color compositions, ensuring the garden remains lively until the first hard frost.