Aster
(from aster, a star; general shape of flowerheads). Michaelmas Daisy; Star-wort. SYN. Pinardia (of Necker). ORD. Compositae. Hardy herbaceous perennials, except where otherwise stated. Heads solitary, corymbose, or panicled, heterogamous, rayed; ray florets pistiliferous, one or two-seriate, fertile or neuter; ligule elongated, white, blue, or purple; disk florets hermaphrodite, fertile, tubular, yellow, five-cleft; involucre campanulate or hemispheric; bracts few or many-seriate, outer smaller or larger; receptacle flat or convex; pappus hairs few or copious, scabrid, outer sometimes shorter, rigid, and paleaceous. Leaves alternate. This large genus contains many handsome border and alpine deciduous perennials (rarely biennials) of easy culture in ordinary soil. They may be propagated by divisions in autumn or spring, or by seeds in spring. The greenhouse species are mostly evergreen shrubs, requiring a compost of peat, leaf soil, and loam. Cuttings root readily in a sandy soil, under a hand glass, with very little heat.
A. acris (acrid). fl.-heads blue; involucre imbricated, twice as short as the disk. August. l. linear-lanceolate, not dotted, three-nerved. h. 2ft. South Europe, 1731.
A. acuminatus (taper-pointed).* fl.-heads white; panicle corymbose. September. l. broad-lanceolate, narrowed at base, entire, with a very long point. Stem simple, flexuous, angular. h. 2ft. North America, 1806.
A. adulterinus (false). fl.-heads violet; involucre squarrose, shorter than the disk. September. l. amplexicaul, lanceolate; lower ones sub-serrate, smooth; those of the branches linear squarrose. h. 3ft. North America.
A. aestivus (summer-flowering).* fl.-heads blue. July. l. lanceolate, somewhat amplexicaul, narrowed at the end, scabrous at edge. Stem erect, hispid; branchlets pilose. h. 2ft. North America, 1776.
A. albescens (whitish). fl.-heads purple or whitish, nearly 1in. across; corymbosely panicled; scales of involucre ovate-linear, apiculate; ray twenty-flowered. August. l. lanceolate on short petioles, denticulate, downy. Plant beset with rusty down. h. 3ft. Nepal, 1842.
A. alpinus (alpine).* fl.-heads bright purple, 1in. to 2in. across; scales of involucre nearly equal, lanceolate, bluntish. July. l., radical ones lanceolate-spathulate; those of the stem lanceolate. Stem one-flowered. h. 6in. to 9in. Europe, 1658. A very attractive species, having a dwarf, stout habit; it forms a useful and handsome subject for edging, and its flowers are valuable for cutting purposes.
A. a. albus (white).* fl.-heads white, in other respects resembling the type; but it is much less desirable, and has not nearly so vigorous a habit. Europe, 1827.
A. altaicus (Altaian).* fl.-heads blue-purple, about 2in. across; stem simple, corymbose, downy. June, July. l. linear-lanceolate, entire, blunt mucronate, three-nerved at base, veiny. h. 1ft. Siberia, 1804. This, which is frequently considered a variety of A. alpinus, is one of the handsomest.
A. alwartensis (Alwart). fl.-heads red; ray very fine; involucre loosely squarrose. May. l. ovate, narrowed at base, entire, about five-nerved. h. 1ft. Caucasus, 1807.
A. Amellus (Amellus).* fl.-heads purple, solitary, numerous; involucre imbricated squarrose; leaves blunt; inner membranous, coloured at edge. August. l. oblong-lanceolate, scabrous. h. 2ft. Italy, 1596. One of the best border kinds; also suitable for rockeries.
A. A. bessarabicus (Bessarabian).* A most desirable variety, frequently seen in gardens; it is rather taller than the type, with larger flower-heads, of a deep purple colour. One of the showiest of all the Asters. A. amplexicaulis (stem-clasping). fl.-heads violet. July. l. ovate-oblong, acute, amplexicaul, cordate, serrated, smooth. Stem panicled, smooth; branches one to two-headed. h. 3ft. North America.
A. amygdalinus (Almond-leaved). fl.-heads white; involucre closely imbricated. August. l. lanceolate, narrowed at base, acuminated, scabrous at edge. Stem simple, corymbose at end. h. 2ft. North America, 1759.
A. argenteus (silvery).* fl.-heads purple. August. l. oblong-lanceolate, silky, sessile. Stem slender, decumbent, loosely branched; branches and branchlets one-headed. h. 1ft. North America, 1801.
A. bellidiflorus (Daisy-flowered). fl.-heads pale red; involucre with spreading scales. September. l. amplexicaul, narrow-lanceolate, scabrous above, lower sub-serrated. Stem much branched. h. 3ft. North America.
A. Bigelovii (Bigelow's).* fl.-heads corymbose, 2 1/2in. diameter, ray-florets lilac, disk yellow. Summer. l. scabrous pubescent, oblong-spathulate; cauline ones amplexicaul, ovate-oblong, crenate, obscurely-toothed h. 2 1/2ft. Colorado, 1878. A very handsome biennial species. SYN. A. Townshendi.
A. blandus (charming). fl.-heads pale purple; racemes scarcely longer than the leaves. October. l. sub-amplexicaul, oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, sessile, smooth. Stem pyramidal. h. 2ft. North America, 1800.
A. canescens (hoary). fl.-heads pale purple; involucre imbricated, very acute, longer than disk. September. l. linear. Panicle corymbose, much branched, leafy. h. 2ft. North America, 1812. Biennial or perennial.
A. cassiarabicus (Arabian Cassia). fl.-heads pink; panicles corymbose. September. l. ovate, acute, serrated, tapering at the petioles. Plant erect, pilose. h. 2ft. Russia, 1834.
A. caucasicus (Caucasian).* fl.-heads purple, solitary; scales of involucre nearly equal, linear. July. l. ovate, sessile, scabrous. h. 1ft. Caucasus, 1804.
A. ciliatus (ciliated). fl.-heads white. September. l. ciliated; cauline ones linear-lanceolate, nerved; those of the branches very short lanceolate, three-nerved. Stem branched, downy; branches downy. h. 3ft. North America.
A. concinnus (neat).* fl.-heads purple; involucre closely imbricated. October. l. sub-amplexicaul, lanceolate; lower ones subserrate, smooth. Stem simple, panicled at end. h. 2ft. North America, 1800.
A. concolor (one-coloured). fl.-heads purple; raceme terminal. October. l. oblong-lanceolate, hoary on each side. Stem simple, erect, downy. h. 1ft. North America, 1759.
A. conyzioides (Conyza-like). Synonymous with Sericocarpus conyzioides.
A. cordifolius (heart-leaved). fl.-heads blue, small, disposed in crowded racemes, which are slightly drooping. July. l. cordate, pilose beneath, finely serrated, stalked. Stem smoothish, panicled; panicle spreading. h. 2ft. North America, 1759.
A. coridifolius (Coris-leaved). fl.-heads pale blue. October. l. very numerous, linear, blunt, reflexed, hispid at edge. Stem branched, diffuse, smooth; branches one-headed. h. 1ft. North America.
A. corymbosus (corymbose). fl.-heads corymbose, about 1in. in diameter; ray-florets few, narrow, white; disk-florets pale yellow. Autumn. l. 3in. long, cordate acute, lobed at the base, coarsely toothed. Stems brittle, blackish purple. h. 2ft. to 3ft. SYN. Biotia corymbosa.
A. diffusus (diffuse). fl.-heads white; involucres imbricated. October. l. elliptic-lanceolate, equal, serrated, smooth. Branches spreading. Stem pubescent. h. 2ft. North America, 1777.
A. Douglasii (Douglas's).* fl.-heads purple; involucral scales linear or spathulate-linear, loosely imbricated. August. l. lanceolate, acute, entire, or rarely serrate, mostly tapering at the base. Stem smooth, slender, paniculately branched, leafy. h. 3ft. to 4ft. California, &c.
A. dracunculoides (Tarragon-like).* fl.-heads white, about 1in. across, disposed in dense cymose clusters; involucre imbricated. September, October. l. linear, acuminated, entire; lower ones linear-lanceolate, sub-serrate. Branches corymbose. h. 3ft. North America, 1811. A very handsome species.
A. dumosus (bushy).* fl.-heads white, about 1/2in. across, disposed in broad clusters; involucre cylindrical, closely imbricated. October. l. linear, glabrous; those of the branches very short. Branches panicled. h. 2ft. North America, 1734.
A. d. albus (white).* fl.-heads quite white, and rather smaller than those of the species. North America.
A. d. violaceus (violet). fl.-heads violet-purple. North America.
A. elegans (elegant). fl.-heads blue, small; corymb contracted, drooping; scales of involucre oblong-cuneate, blunt, squarrose. September. l. scabrous; cauline ones oblong-lanceolate, acute; radical ones oblong, stalked. h. 2ft. North America, 1790. A very elegant species, having a graceful habit.
A. eminens (eminent). fl.-heads light blue. October. l. linear-lanceolate, acuminate, scabrous at edge; lower ones sub-serrated. Stem panicled; branches one-headed. h. 2ft. North America.
A. ericoidos (Heath-like).* fl.-heads white; involucre squarrose, leaflets acute. September. l. linear, glabrous; those of the branches subulate, close together; and those of the stem long. h. 3ft. North America, 1758. A very pretty species.
A. floribundus (many-flowered).* fl.-heads light purple September. l. sub-amplexicaul, lanceolate; lower ones serrated. Stem smooth; branches corymbose. h. 4ft. North America.
A. foliosus (leafy). fl.-heads pale blue; involucre imbricate. September. l. linear-lanceolate, acuminate, narrowed at each end. Stem downy, panicled, erect; branches few-headed. h. 3ft. North America, 1732.
A. fragilis (fragile). fl.-heads flesh-coloured, small; involucre imbricated. September. l. linear, acuminate, entire; radical ones oblong, serrate. Branches in corymbose panicles. h. 2ft. North America, 1800.
A. grandiflorus (large-flowered).* fl.-heads purple, large, terminal; scales of involucre squarrose. November. l. linear, rigid, acute, sub-amplexicaul; those of the branches reflexed, hispid at edge. h. 2ft. North America, 1720.
A. hyssopifolius (Hyssop-leaved).* fl.-heads white, or purple shaded; scales of the involucre about half as long as the disk. August to October. l. linear-lanceolate, acute, with the margins scabrous. Branches fastigiate and corymbose, smooth. h. 1 1/2ft. to 2ft. North America.
A. laevigatus (smooth-stemmed). fl.-heads flesh-coloured, about 1in. across, disposed in large panicles. September. l. subamplexicaul, broad-lanceolate, sub-serrate, smooth. Stem glabrous. Branches many-headed. h. 3ft. North America, 1794.
A. laevis (smooth).* fl.-heads blue; involucre imbricated with cuneiform leaflets. September. l. sub-amplexicaul, remotely oblong, entire, lucid; radical ones sub-serrated. h. 2ft. North America, 1758. One of the best border species.
A. laxus (loose-flowered). fl.-heads white, about 1in. across; clusters loose. October. l. linear-lanceolate, scabrous at edge; lower ones sub-serrated; stem ones reflexed. Stem loosely panicled. h. 2ft. North America. A. linarifolius (Toad-flax-leaved). fl.-heads pale blue. September. l. numerous, linear, mucronated, nerveless, not dotted, keeled, scabrous, rigid. Branches fastigiate, one-headed. h. 1ft. North America, 1699.
A. linifolius (Flax-leaved). fl.-heads white; involucre imbricated, short. July. l. linear, nerveless, dotted, scabrous, reflexed, spreading. Branches corymbose, fastigiate, leafy. h. 2ft. North America, 1739.
A. longifolius (long-leaved).* fl.-heads white, 1in. across, in dense corymbose panicles; involucre squarrose. October. l. linear-lanceolate, rarely toothed, very long, smooth. h. 3ft. North America, 1798. There are several varieties of this handsome species.
A. l. formosus (charming).* fl.-heads pink, produced in dense corymbs. h. 1 1/2ft. to 2ft.
A. macrophyllus (large-leaved). fl.-heads white. August. l. large, ovate, stalked, serrated, scabrous; upper ones cordate, sessile. Stem branched, diffuse. h. 2ft. North America, 1739.
A. multiflorus (many-flowered).* fl.-heads white, small; corymb large, elongated; involucre imbricated; scales oblong, squarrose, acute. September. l. linear, glabrous. Stem much branched, diffuse, downy; branchlets one-sided. h. 3ft. North America, 1732.
A. myrtifolius (Myrtle-leaved). fl.-heads white; involucre imbricated; scales length of disk. August. l., stem ones, amplexicaul, scabrous; those of the branches small. h. 2ft. 1812.
A. novae-angliae (New England).* fl.-heads purple, in terminal clusters. September. l. linear-lanceolate, pilose, amplexicaul, auricled at base. Stem simple, pilose, straight. h. 6ft. North America, 1710. One of the best; having a tall and robust habit.
A. n.-a. rubra (red).* fl.-heads deep red pink, in other respects like the type. North America, 1812.
A. novae-belgii (New York).* fl.-heads pale blue. September. l. sub-amplexicaul, lanceolate, glabrous, scabrous at edge; lower ones sub-serrated. Branches divided. h. 4ft. North America, 1710. There is a variety known in gardens which belongs to this species, under the name of amethystinus, the flowers of which are much larger and very showy.
A. obliquus (oblique). fl.-heads numerous; ray white; disk purplish. Autumn. l. alternate; lower ones linear-lanceolate, oblique; upper stem ones smaller. h. 5ft. North America. A very fine species, forming large tufts.
A. paniculatus (panicled).* fl.-heads light blue; involucre loose. September. l. ovate-lanceolate, sub-serrated, stalked, smooth; petioles naked. Stem much branched, smooth. h. 4ft. North America, 1640.
A. pannonicus (Pannonian). fl.-heads violet; scales of involucre lanceolate, blunt, equal. July. l. linear-lanceolate, hispid at edge. Stem simple, corymbose. h. 2ft. Hungary, 1815.
A. patens (spreading). fl.-heads light purple, about 1in. across. October. l. oblong-lanceolate, ciliate, cordate, amplexicaul, scabrous on each side, hairy. Stem branched, hairy. h. 2ft. North America, 1773.
A. pendulus (drooping).* fl.-heads pure white at first, ultimately rosy pink, small. September. l. elliptic-lanceolate, serrate, smooth, those of the branches distant. Branches much spreading, pendulous. h. 2ft. North America, 1758. A very pretty species.
A. peregrinus (foreign).* fl.-heads bluish purple, 2in. across; July, August. l. lanceolate, sub-acute, entire, smooth, those of the stem rather narrower than the radical ones. Stem smooth, or nearly so, two or three-flowered. h. 1ft. North America. A very pretty little species for the rockery or border. A. pilosus (pilose). fl.-heads pale blue; involucre oblong, loose, imbricated. September. l. linear-lanceolate, hoary. Stem branched, villous; branchlets somewhat one-sided, one-headed. h. 2ft. North America, 1812.
A. praecox (early). fl.-heads violet; involucre imbricated; scales nearly equal; outer scales somewhat spreading. July. l. oblong-lanceolate, narrowed at the base. Stem hairy. h. 2ft. North America, 1800.
A. pulchellus (beautiful).* fl.-heads purple, solitary; scales of involucre nearly equal, linear, acuminate. June. l., radical ones spathulate; cauline ones linear-lanceolate. h. 1ft. Armenia.
A. puniceus (red-stalked). fl.-heads blue, about 1in. across; panicle large, pyramidal; involucre loose, longer than the disk. September. l. amplexicaul, lanceolate, serrate, roughish. Branches panicled. h. 6ft. North America, 1710.
A. pyrenaeus (Pyrenean).* fl.-heads lilac-blue (disk yellow), large, three to five in a short corymb. July. l. scabrous on both sides; cauline ones oblong-lanceolate, acute, sessile, sharply serrated on the upper part. h. 1ft. to 1 1/2ft. Pyrenees.
A. Reevesi (Reeves's). fl.-heads white, with yellow centre, small; panicle dense, pyramidal. Autumn. l. linear, acute. Branches slender. h. 9in. to 12in. North America. A very desirable species, suitable for rockwork.
A. reticulatus (netted). fl.-heads white. July. l. lanceolate-oblong, acute at each end, sessile, revolute at end, netted, and three-nerved beneath. Plant hoary all over. h. 3ft. North America, 1812.
A. rubricaule (red-stemmed). Synonymous with A. spurius.
A. salicifolius (Willow-leaved). fl.-heads flesh-coloured; involucre lanceolate, imbricate; scales acute, spreading at end. September. l. linear-lanceolate, nearly entire, smooth. Stem smooth, panicled at end. h. 6ft. North America, 1760.
A. salsuginosus (salt-plains).* fl.-heads violet-purple; involucral scales linear, loose, glandular. July. l. entire, the lower spathulate, obovate, tapering into a margined petiole; the upper ones lanceolate, acute, with broad base, usually sub-amplexicaul. Stem minutely pubescent, leafy nearly to the top, few-flowered. h. 9in. to 18in. North America, 1827. A very handsome species.
A. s. elatior (tallest). This variety grows 2ft. or more high, and has rather larger flowers than the type. North America.
A. sericeus (silky). fl.-heads deep blue; terminal, about 1 1/2in. across. Summer and autumn. l. oblong-lanceolate, sessile, entire, three-nerved, silky with down. h. 3ft. Missouri, 1802. This is a half-hardy evergreen shrub, and requires a warm, well-drained soil.
A. serotinus (late-flowering). fl.-heads blue. September. l. oblong-lanceolate, acuminate, sessile, smooth, scabrous at edge; lower ones serrated; branches corymbose, smooth. h. 3ft. North America.
A. Shortii (Short's). fl.-heads purplish blue, about 1in. across; panicles long, racemose, Autumn. l. lanceolate, elongated, acuminated, cordate at the base. h. 2ft. to 4ft. Stem slender, spreading. North America.
A. sibiricus (Siberian). fl.-heads blue; involucre loose; leaflets lanceolate, acuminate, hispid. August. l. lanceolate, sub-amplexicaul, serrate, pilose, scabrous. h. 2ft. Siberia, 1768.
A. sikkimensis (Sikkimese).* fl.-heads purple; leaflets of involucre linear, acuminate, sub-squarrose. October. l. lanceolate, acuminate, spinosely denticulate; radical ones on longer petioles; cauline ones sessile; corymbs large, of many heads, leafy, erect, glabrous, branched. h. 3ft. Sikkim, 1850.
A. spectabilis (showy).* fl.-heads blue; scales of involucre loose, leafy. August. l. lanceolate, roughish, somewhat amplexicaul; lower ones serrate in the middle. h. 2ft. North America, 1777. A very pretty species. A. spurius (spurious). fl.-heads purple, large, few; inner scales of involucre coloured. September. l. linear-lanceolate, amplexicaul, polished. Stem virgate, panicled. Branches racemose. h. 4ft. North America, 1789. SYN. A. rubricaule.
A. tardiflorus (late-flowering). fl.-heads blue, numerous. Autumn. l. sessile, serrated, smooth, spathulate-lanceolate, narrowed at base, and bent down towards each side. h. 2ft. North America, 1775.
A. Townshendi (Townshend's). Synonymous with A. Bigelovii.
A. Tradescanti (Tradescant's).* fl.-heads white; involucre imbricated. August. l. lanceolate-sessile, serrated, smooth; branches virgate. Stem round, smooth. h. 3ft. North America, 1633. A. multiflorus is very much like this species, and, perhaps, a mere form thereof, with somewhat smaller flowers and more obovate-oblong leaves.
A. tripolium (Tripoli). Michaelmas Daisy. fl.-heads blue; disk yellow; scales of involucre lanceolate, membranous, obtuse, imbricated. August. l. linear-lanceolate, fleshy, obscurely three-nerved. Stem glabrous, corymbose. h. 2ft. Britain.
A. turbinellus (turbinate). fl.-heads delicate mauve, disposed in panicles; involucre top-shaped, scales imbricate. Summer and autumn. l. lanceolate, smooth, entire, with fringed margins, somewhat stem-clasping; those of the branchlets awl-shaped. h. 2ft. to 3ft. North America. A very desirable species.
A. undulatus (undulated). fl.-heads pale blue. August. l. oblong-cordate, amplexicaul, entire; petioles winged. Stem panicled, hispid. Branchlets one-sided. h. 3ft. North America, 1699.
A. versicolor (various-coloured).* fl.-heads white, changing to purple; scales of involucre shorter than disk. August. l. sub-amplexicaul, broad-lanceolate, sub-serrate, smooth. Stem glabrous. h. 3ft. North America, 1790. The annuals (Callistephus chinensis), usually known as French, German, or China Asters, are very extensively grown, both for beds and pots, and their diversity and generally compact growth render them almost universal favourites. They require a rich loamy soil, and as the roots are produced near the surface, a mulching of rotten dung will be found most beneficial. Seeds may be raised in a cold frame in March or April, and, when the seedlings are large enough, they must be transplanted into beds from 9in. to 12in. apart each way. If it is desired to have them in pots, they may be removed thence with a good ball of earth adhering just before they commence flowering, liberally watered, and kept lightly shaded from the sun, until root action is resumed. Those kinds required for exhibition purposes should have several of the side shoots removed, so that the whole growing energy of the plant may be centralised into from five to seven flower-heads, by which means fine blossoms may be obtained. The dwarf kinds are most valuable for bedding and pots, as the taller kinds frequently require stakes for support. The following are the most important sections:
Betteridge's Prize. Very beautifully formed and brilliantly coloured varieties, unsurpassed for exhibition purposes. As this class has rather a straggling habit of growth, it is less suitable for bedding and borders than many of the others.
Boltze's Miniature Bouquet Pyramidal. Dwarf and elegant, in compact bouquets of six or eight; the truss of flower-heads springs directly from the ground, having only a few leaves at base. Colours very varied. h. 6in. to 8in.
Crown.* Distinct. The central portion, or disk, of the head of flowers is pure white, surrounded by a broad margin of coloured ray florets, such as purple, violet, crimson, rose, &c. Flower-heads large, flat, freely produced. h. 1ft. to 1 1/2ft.
Dwarf Chrysanthemum-flowered.* In size of flower-heads and habit of growth, this surpasses all other dwarf varieties. The flowers are full, Chrysanthemum-shaped, produced in clusters, or bouquets, from ten to twenty in a truss, very delicate and beautiful in colour. h. 1ft. Dwarf Pyramidal or Dwarf Bouquet. A pretty little class, and extremely floriferous, each plant producing from twenty to fifty heads of blossom. Some of the colours are: Exquisite carmine with white points, white with blue or carmine points, white with salmon centre, &c. h. 1ft.
Improved Imbricate. The best strain of pyramidal Asters with recurved florets; fine regular form of flowers, double to the centre, producing but few seeds. Colours very brilliant. h. 2ft.
Improved Rose. A handsome class, producing a branched head, displaying no less than fifty large double flower-heads, the outer florets finely imbricated, and filled up to the centre when quite open. The colours are of great brilliancy, and of many shades. h. 2ft.
Pompone Goliath.* Flower-heads globular, and florets very closely set. Valuable for bouquets, as the flowers remain intact for a considerable time.
Pyramidal Hedgehog. Singular and unique. Stems upright, and branched; each branch terminated by a single flower-head, which is filled up with quill-like florets. Colours various. h. 1 1/2ft.
Pruffaut's Paeony Perfection.* Vigorous upright growers, having large, hemispherical-formed heads of flowers with incurved florets, 4in. across. The colours also are very varied. h. about 2ft.
Victoria.* One of the most popular classes of Asters grown; flower-heads very double, imbricate, globular, 4in. in diameter, from ten to twenty on a plant, of various shades. h. 1ft., with a pyramidal habit.