[Overview]
A perennial 70–180 cm tall.
The stems grow upright or slightly arching, and branch freely into slender branches in the upper part.
The leaves are simple, alternate and lanceolate, and are borne densely in large numbers up to the stem tips.
Many flowers are borne in inflorescences at the stem tips; most are about 1–2.5 cm across, and the flower colors include white, purple, bluish purple and pink.
[Cultivation]
It prefers a well-drained, sunny site.
It is very cold-hardy.
Propagate by division or by stem cuttings.
Pests and diseases include powdery mildew, perennial aster sclerotinia rot, rust, leafminers and aphids.
[Notes]
The name Aster comes from the Greek word meaning "star" and refers to the shape of the flower heads.
