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A genus rather than a single
flower variety, the Aster
family includes some 600
species of widely
distributed flowering plant.
The name "aster" is derived
from the Greek word for
"star" - a reference to the
shape of its pretty flowers.
Popular with gardeners and
florists alike, the
traditional flower-shaped
flowers of the aster also
play host to many species of
butterfly and moth. These
insects not only feed on the
flowers, but utilize them as
a food source for their
larvae. The aster also
attracts other wildlife,
including birds and bees.
Rather bizarrely, as well as
being a symbol of love and
caring, aster is also
believed to symbolise "after
thought". The exception to
this is China, where the
aster signifies fidelity.
Popular varieties of aster
include Italian Aster, Blue
Wood Aster, White Wood
Aster, Heath Aster, New
England Aster and New York
Aster. Other varieties, such
Frost and Sea Aster are also
available. These varieties
differ in shape and size,
but maintain a similar petal
formation and general
appearance. The varieties
favored in floristry are
typically seen in white, or
a pale blue-purple. A darker
purple variety is also
available to the florist.
Of the many varieties which
may be seen in the garden,
"Aster tongolensis" is
perhaps the most popular.
With its brilliant white
petals and large yellow
centre, it bears a strong
resemblance to the common
daisy. The aster has long
been a favourite of the
gardener, bringing a splash
of colour to the autumn
border. Long after other
flowers have reached their
peak and begun to face, the
aster will continue to
flower from September to
December, conditions
permitting.
It is partly because of this
that the common name
"September flower" was born.
The "September flower" name
is also a reference to the
aster being the birth flower
for September. A link
between these two facts is
obvious, the former
reference likely being the
earlier of the two to
surface.
Especially common with
florists, its dainty
appearance and subtle
colours make it an ideal
alternative to flowers such
as gypsophila and solidaster.
When in the florists shop,
you are more likely to see
aster referred to as
"September" - a name more
popular with florists than
with gardeners who seem to
prefer just "aster". The
names "September" and
"Aster" are interchangeable
however, so it is acceptable
to use whichever; your
florist will know what you
mean either way! It is also
sometimes referred to as
Monte Casino.
Cultivars available to the
florist include Cassandra,
Casablanca, Celesta and
Cecelia. These are typically
available in single or
"double" stem form - the
latter providing a much
fuller stem. Many florists
would agree that this
defeats the whole idea of
aster - losing the
traditional, dainty charm
amid a mass of petals; charm
which is perfectly
maintained in the
single-stem variety.
To get the best effect in
floristry, combine the aster
with other pretty,
traditional flowers. A
bouquet of lilies or roses,
mixed with September and a
little foliage - perhaps a
sprig or two of lavender -
looks beautiful and has a
real "country cottage" feel.
It is less suited to more
contemporary, exotic
bouquets, looking slightly
out of place admid such
flowers as the Bird of
Paradise.
For the best effect in
gardening, they should be
planted towards the back of
the flowerbed, combined with
other late flowering plants
such as Japanese anemones.
The anemone is another
beautiful, dainty flower
variety - also available in
floristry, looking beautiful
combined in a bouquet with
September flower.
Did you know?
Aster is the flower of the
"Herb Goddess" Venus.
In ancient times, it was
believed that the smell of
burning aster would drive
away serpents.
According to myth, asters
were created from stardust
when Virgo looked down from
the heavens and wept.
Symbolising after thought,
asters were once laid on the
graves of French soldiers.
This was to symbolise the
wish that things had turned
out differently.
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