Aster species & varieties: the most beautiful at a glance

There are well over 100 different species with several varieties and even different genera of aster, which are very similar, for example, in the appearance of flowers. With such a wide variety, it is easy to lose track.

The Aster (Aster spec., Symphyotrichum spec.; Callistephus spec.; Erigeron spec.) offer a wide range of possibilities to design one’s garden – with different coloured flowers to different growth forms and flowering times. We present the most beautiful genera, species and varieties of aster in this article.

Tip: Some asters used to belong to the genus Aster but were later transferred to other genera. Thus, there is a large group of plants of different genera, which we call “asters”.

Aster species: How many are there?

It is hardly possible to give definite information about the number of species of asters. This is mainly due to the complicated botanical system in which plants are assigned to families and genera and named accordingly. It happens again and again that changes are made in it by new findings and plants, which were originally assigned to the genus Aster, are then classified in another genus. Formerly, the genus Aster consisted of about 500 to 600 species before a major reorganisation took place. These variants were common in Eurasia, in Africa and mainly in the New World. The species that belong to the genus Aster according to the current systematics are represented only in the Old World – that is, in Europe, Asia, and Africa.

The well-known New York asters (Symphyotrichum novi-belgii) and New England aster (Symphyotrichum novae-angliae) have also been assigned to a new genus because they belong to North American species. Other genera, also called aster and characterised by a similar appearance, include the annual aster (Callistephus chinensis), aspen fleabane (Erigeron spec.), Kalimeris aster (Kalimeris spec.), and golden aster (Chrysopsis speciosa).
Often the new, correct botanical name is slow to catch on in practice, which is why the old botanical name is still used as a synonym.

The most beautiful species and varieties of aster at a glance

Many popular and well-known species such as the rice button aster (Symphyotrichum x dumosum), the New England aster or New York aster belong to the autumn asters, which usually continue flowering into autumn.

Spring asters are rather low perennials, which usually bear their flower heads on unbranched stems. They like sunny locations and are suitable for rock gardens or other nutrient-poor sites. In principle, all aster species except the annual China aster are sufficiently hardy. Below, we present the most beautiful species and varieties.

Alpine aster (Aster alpinus)

Alpine asters reach about 15 to 25 cm in height and prefer dry, warm and calcareous soil. The flowering period of this bee-friendly species extends from May to June. The varieties of this species are best planted singly or in small groups of about one to three plants 20 cm apart. We present only asters that have been evaluated by experts as particularly beautiful and naturally healthy.

• Aster alpinus ˈDark Beautyˈ: This richly flowering variety with intense purple flowers has highly decorative flowers and is extremely hardy.

• Aster alpinus ˈAlbusˈ: This variety is very hardy and also profusely flowering. With its pure white flowers, the variety is visually stunning.
• Aster alpinus ˈSabineˈ: Aster alpinus is a variety with high vigour, beautiful flowers and very low susceptibility to diseases. This anemone-flowered variety bears numerous purple flowers and reaches a height of 30 cm.
• Aster alpinus ˈHappy Endˈ: The rich-flowered variety ˈHappy Endˈ grows up to 35 cm high and also has an impressively high resistance to diseases. The pink blooms ensure a very decorative flower display.

East Indies aster (Aster tongolensis)

The foliage of East Indies aster, also called early China aster or Szechuan aster, forms a small carpet on the ground and the plant spreads slowly with short runners in the soil. The perennial can reach a height of about 40 cm and a width of about 25-30 cm. The flowering period of this species is from May to June. It thrives in fresh to moist, base-rich and well-drained soils. Since the species can only withstand temperatures down to about – 23 °C, it should only be planted in regions with correspondingly mild winters. The perennial can be planted singly or in smaller groups of about 3 to 10 specimens, 25 cm apart.

• Aster tongolensis ˈWartburg starˈ: This variety is characterised by its fragrant, large, blue-violet flowers that have an orange-yellow centre.
• Aster tongolensis ˈLeuchtenburgˈ: The intense purple flowers of the ˈLeuchtenburgˈ variety attract many bees, butterflies and other insects with their fragrance.

Summer asters usually bloom from July or August and are suitable for different locations. Depending on the variant, they can reach a height of 80 cm. Below, we present the best-known and most beautiful species:

European Michaelmas daisy (Aster amellus)

The European Michaelmas daisy grows in a bushy form and loves sunny places. In the right location, this species is uncomplicated and easy to care for. The bushy-horse-shaped perennial thrives best in well-drained, nitrogen-poor and dry to fresh, calcareous soil. The flowering period usually extends from mid or late July to the end of September. The species can be planted either singly or in smaller groups of up to about 10 plants, spaced 40 cm apart.

• Aster amellus ˈViolet Queenˈ: This excellent cultivar is extremely profuse in flowering and has excellent floral decoration due to the dark purple flowers. It blooms from early September to mid-October and grows 50 to 60 cm high. It is also a winner with its excellent sturdiness, vitality and resistance to disease.
• Aster amellus ˈBrilliantˈ: The healthy and sturdy-standing variety ˈBrilliantˈ blooms purple, pink from late August to late September. It not only bears many flowers but is also rarely affected by disease.

• Aster amellus ˈMiraˈ: The showy richly flowered cultivar ˈMiraˈ was rated very good and also reaches a height of 50 to 60 cm. Its blue-purple flowers create a beautiful floral display from late August to early October. Its stability and disease resistance are excellent.

Pyrenees aster (Aster pyrenaeus)

The Pyrenees aster should be cultivated on lean, well-drained, calcareous as well as dry to fresh soils in a sunny, warm location. Demands are similar to those of the European Michaelmas daisy, but Aster pyrenaeus is more persistent and hardier. The flowering time of the bushy-horse-shaped perennial is between mid-August and mid-October. It can be planted singly or in smaller groups of up to 10 plants, 50 cm apart.

• Aster pyrenaeus ˈLutetiaˈ: This flowering variety is extremely vigorous. It grows about 60 to 70 cm high, and its beautiful flowers are coloured in a light silvery pink. It was rated very good by the Perennial Sifting Working Group and has moderate to high hardiness.

Parasol white top aster (Doellingeria umbellata; syn. Aster umbellatus)

After successful establishment in a suitable location, the small-flowered parasol white top aster requires little care. It prefers well-drained, permanently fresh to moist soils and is very adaptable to the subsoil pH. A sunny to semi-shady position is well suited for the species. It also copes well with root pressure from woody plants and can therefore be used at the edge of woody plants, under trees and shrubs. Via short stolon’s, the perennial forms a broad, horst-like to slightly area-covering growth habit.

• Doellingeria umbellata ˈWhite Umbrellaˈ: The variety ˈWhite Umbrellaˈ is very abundant and bears its white flowers with yellow centre from early July to mid-September. Despite its height of 140-160 cm, it has excellent stability and high vitality. The hardiness of the variety is very high and the red stems in autumn are a distinctive feature.

China aster (Callistephus chinensis)

Unlike the other aster species, China aster is an annual herbaceous plant that is not hardy. Therefore, it is well suited for cultivation as a cut flower. China asters usually bloom from July through October and prefer a nutrient-rich, loose, moist soil in a sunny, airy location.

The diversity of varieties of this species is so extensive that they are divided into several groups, which differ in height of growth and flower shape. Lower varieties grow to about 20 to 30 cm tall, medium varieties between 40 and 50 cm tall, and tall varieties can reach a height of 50 to 80 cm. The tall varieties are ideal for cut flower culture and the low ones can be wonderfully cultivated in pots or balcony boxes. For this purpose, the substrate should be used with high-quality potting soil, mixed with sand or expanded clay to ensure good permeability. For this purpose, for example, our Plantura Organic Flower Compost is ideal, which supports your plants with a ratio of balanced nutrients during growth and stimulates a lush bloom.

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Goldilocks aster (Galatella linosyris; syn. Aster linosyris)

The Goldilocks aster is also called golden aster or golden-crested aster. The umbel-like, golden-yellow flowers are its special feature. These, unlike other species of asters, consist only of tubular flowers. Its flowering period is from the end of August to the beginning of October, and it can reach a growth height of 50 to 60 cm. The bee-friendly perennial produces an abundance of flowers and is beautiful to look at. It is sturdy and sprouts lots of healthy foliage.

Tip: The species Chrysopsis speciosa is also called golden aster, so there is a risk of confusion here.

Schreber’s aster (Eurybia schreberi; syn. Aster schreberi)

In commerce, Schreber’s aster is usually offered under the name of large-leaved aster (Eurybia macrophylla ˈAlbusˈ; syn. Aster macrophyllus ˈAlbusˈ), which may seem somewhat confusing. However, since the two are very similar, this does not create a disadvantage.
In light semi-shady to shady locations with moderately nutritious to nutritious soils that are fresh to moist, this small-flowered species feels at home. The perennial also copes well with root pressure – that is, it can be optimally integrated under trees and shrubs. With stolon’s, the Schrebers aster forms ground-covering areas with a height of 50 to 90 cm. The large, heart-shaped leaves make the plant quite dense. Its strong urge to spread should be taken into account when combining it with other plants as it could crowd out other perennials.

From early July to mid-August, this extremely profuse-flowering species bears white clouds of flowers, achieving a good floral decoration effect. Despite the large height of growth, Schreber’s aster proves steadfast.

A biennial medicinal and seasoning plant that would be comfortable in the same location as the Schrebers aster is the garlic mustard (Alliaria petiolata).