Origins
A member of the Asteraceae family, the aster takes its name from the Latin word meaning "star" and refers to the flower's starlike head. The popular cut flower is actually a herbaceous perennial indigenous to all continents except Australia and, of course, Antarctica.

Known alternatively as the Michaelmas daisy, starwort and frost flower, the aster usually blooms in late summer or fall, although the flower is commercially available year-round from various sources.

There are more than 600 known aster species, but just a few varieties enjoy popularity as cut flowers. Asters are available in almost every shade except clear yellow and orange, although the white, blue, purple and violet shades predominate.