Autumn Flowering Asters, often popularly known as Michaelmas Daisies, are widely grown in temperate zones of the World and are easily cultivated, herbaceous perennial garden plants. They have bushy, or spire-shaped sprays bearing large numbers of daisy or star shaped flowers. The flowers come in white and a myriad hues of lavender-blue, violet, purple, pink and red creating a stunning tapestry of colour in autumn (fall) gardens.

Compact, mound forming varieties can be as low as 30 cm (12 inches) in height, some are even less. There are many varieties in the height range of 90 cm ( 3 feet ) and 120 cm (4 feet). Others can tower up to 150 cm (5 feet) and more.

Asters look superb in large borders or natural drifts when planted as good sized groups. Smaller clumps bring useful late colour to gardens where space is restricted. They are, also, widely cultivated commercially and by amateur growers as valuable
cut flowers and pot grown plants.

The majority of native or wild Asters grow in the North Eastern regions of Northern America. Just a few species originate in Europe and Asia. All of the showy species have been hybridised to produce useful garden plants.

For more information please look at Paul's Patch.