General Description/History

Asters belong to the Asteraceae, with the name coming from Latin, meaning star. This is an apt description of these flowers, which have many elliptical petals surrounding a round yellow flower centre. The flower centres contain the anthers and pollen, so can look a little shaggy in older flowers. Petal colours are white, pink or mauve. Asters are popular during Easter-time for traditional arrangements.

Aster are all grown in the field. In Australia they are grown close to the capital cities, particularly in Victoria (Dandenong Ranges and Mornington Peninsula) due to its relatively cool climate with low humidity and the hills west of Sydney.

What to look for

• At least half the flowers should be fully open
• Round flowers with unblemished petals.
• Foliage should be firm and green, with no sign of yellowing.

Flower Care

1. Keep cool! Never place in full sun.
2. Break bunches apart.
3. Strip leaves from the bottom half of each stem and wash stems thoroughly.
4. Recut at least 2 cm off each stem and place in cold water.
5. Use a preservative as this will keep flowers looking fresh.
6. Replace vase water with fresh preservative every day.

Interesting Facts about this Flower

During the Middle Ages, the English had two names for this flower: asters and starworts. Aster is Latin for star, and referred to its star-like shape, while wort means root, and was given to all plants with healing properties.

It was also thought believed that burning Aster leaves drove away serpents.

In the Language of Flowers, asters symbolise love, or daintiness

Botanical Name: Aster novi-belgii., Aster ericoides

Common Names: China Aster

Stem Length: 30 to 60 cm

Country of Origin: Europe

Available Colours: Pink, Purple, Red, White

Season: Summer,Autumn,Winter,Spring

Availability: January,February,March,April,May,June,July,August,September,October,November,Decemeber