Aster
Aster: Sowing, planting and harvest calendar
The garden name aster covers several plants in the daisy family, Asteraceae, recognised for their star-like flower heads. Some still belong to the genus Aster, while others are now classified as Symphyotrichum, Eurybia or Kalimeris. The horticultural name remains familiar despite these botanical changes. It therefore describes a collection of plants and selections, rather than establishing one particular species or named variety.New England and New York asters, familiar in late-season borders, are now members of Symphyotrichum. Others, such as Aster amellus, retain the original genus. This garden grouping mainly includes herbaceous perennials, but China aster also refers to Callistephus chinensis, an annual. These identities do not share the same life cycle. The familiar common name alone cannot tell you whether an individual plant will persist for several years.Perennial forms generally produce upright, branching stems above a persistent crown. Their foliage is often green and seasonal, with leaf shape varying between…
