Asters include plants in the Aster and Symphyotrichum genera in the Asteraceae family. As wildflowers, they are native to Eurasia and North America, but they are a popular garden flower and have been cultivated and bred to create many different varieties. Popular cultivars available from most nurseries are A. amellus, A. thomsonii, as well as many hybrid cultivars.
New England Asters (S. novae-angliae)and New York Asters (S. novi-belgii) are also popular varieties. They flower in late summer and fall when many other flowering plants are slowing down. Brilliant for late-season color.
There is a wide variety of different aster flowers, but they all look daisy-like. Colors range from white to pink, blue, and purple. Asters are herbaceous perennials that live for a long time.
Different aster species grow anywhere from 1 to 6 feet tall, forming bushes 1 to 4 feet wide. They enjoy growing in loamy soil with a pH between neutral and acidic. Like most plants, they need good drainage.
They perform well in cooler climates and are frost-hardy in zones 3 to 8. It takes a while to grow aster flowers from seed. It is better to buy potted nursery plants.
Plant them in spring or early summer. These fast-growing plants will quickly fill out and put on a spectacular fall display. They make wonderful cut flowers.
Plant asters for the bees. They bloom towards the end of the growing season and, therefore, represent an important source of nectar for bees and other beneficial pollinators when there are few other flowers around. The following 25 flowers are similar to asters in their growth habit, blooms, and soil requirements.
Related: Sun-Loving Flowers | Water-Loving Flowers | Shade-Loving Flowers | Types of Flowers | Types of Flowers by Color | Types of Flowers by Alphabet | Types of Flower Colors
1. English Daisy
Bellis perennis – the English daisy, bachelor’s button, or common daisy, is a wildflower native to Morocco, Southwestern Asia, and Europe. Members of the Asteraceae family, they are closely related to asters. They are herbaceous perennials that grow about 4 inches tall and produce masses of pink, red, or white daisy flowers.
English daisies bloom from the end of spring to mid-summer. They are easy to grow from seed and make fantastic plants for rockeries, wildflower meadows, cottage gardens, and naturalized plantings. Sow English daisy seeds in spring in fertile soil in a sunny or partly shaded part of the garden.
Keep them moderately well-watered and cut them back after flowering to keep the seeds from spreading throughout the garden.
2. Sunflower
Helianthus annuus, the common sunflower, is also closely related to asters. These tall, showy flowers are native to North and Central America. They are fast-growing herbaceous annuals that naturally grow in prairies and meadows.
Although the most iconic color for sunflowers is yellow, there are also red, orange, maroon, and bicolor varieties. Some produce a single large flowering head, and others grow many smaller flowers. They vary greatly in size – there are dwarf varieties that reach a foot tall and giant cultivars that grow to 15 feet!
Grow sunflowers in rich, well-composted soil in a sunny position, especially if you want them to grow super tall. Water them regularly. They grow well in borders and are a staple in cottage gardens, wildflower meadows, and wildlife gardens – birds love the seeds.
3. Purple Coneflower
Purple coneflower, Echinacea purpurea, is a herbaceous perennial plant that produces bright purple daisy-like flowers with a big, spikey center. These North American plants are hardy in zones 3 to 8. They grow into tall bushes, around 5 feet tall and bloom for ages in summer.
When grown from seed, it takes 2 years until the plants flower, so most gardeners buy them as potted plants from a nursery. They self-seed so it will spread through the garden. Purple coneflowers are low-maintenance, hardy plants that are tolerant of hot, dry conditions.
They like to grow in full sun in rich, well-draining soil.
4. Chrysanthemum
Chrysanthemums (also known as mums) are autumn flowering perennials that are native to Asia. Part of the Asteraceae family, they are close relatives of asters. Florists and gardeners alike love chrysanthemums for their large, daisy-like flowers in many different colors – red, orange, yellow, pink, and white.
They resemble giant asters. Chrysanthemum x grandiflorum is a popular garden cultivar. It grows into a small shrub and produces numerous large flower heads.
Chrysanthemums flower late in the season when few other flowers are blooming. They are hardy in USDA zones 5 to 9. Plant them in full sun. Grow chrysanthemums in fertile soil that has been amended with grit for drainage.
Mulch around the plants during winter, especially in cooler climates.
5. Chamomile
Chamaemelum nobile, or Roman chamomile, is a well-known member of the Asteraceae family because its flowers are popularly dried and used as tea. German chamomile, Matricaria recutitais used in the same way but is a perennial rather than an annual. Both species self-seed readily, so they will return year after year.
Like asters, they produce clusters of yellow and white daisy flowers. Roman chamomile’s flowers smell beautiful. They look great planted in containers and in vegetable or herb gardens.
Plant them in full sun or in partial shade in hotter climates. Chamomile grows prolifically in rich soil but can tolerate poor soils. They do need regular watering until they have established, but do not need fertilizer, and pests generally avoid them, making them a great, low maintenance plant.
6. Shasta Daisy
Leucanthemum x superbum, or the Shasta daisy, is a garden daisy cultivar that was bred in the 1890s in California. Originally, the parent plants are native to Eurasia. These herbaceous perennials have large white-petalled daisy flowers with yellow centers.
Shasta daisy bushes grow about 3 to 4 feet tall, and their showy blooms arrive in summer and keep going through fall. They are low maintenance plants that have low water needs. Shasta daisies are hardy in zones 5 to 9.
7. Dahlia
Dahlia pinnata is a tuberous plant native to Mexico. Dahlias have become popular flowers all over the world. There are over 20 000 different cultivars!
There are single and double flowering varieties in a wide range of colors from red to orange, yellow, maroon, pink, and white. Dahlias are summer flowering plants that bloom well into the fall. In zones 7 to 10 they are grown as herbaceous annuals
. Dahlias prefer growing in full sun in rich soil with enough drainage. They need to be watered regularly, but the soil must dry between watering so that the tubers do not rot.
8. Gerbera Daisy
Gerbera jamesonii, the Gerbera daisy, is native to Asia, South America, and southern Africa. A member of the Asteraceae family, Gerberas have large, vibrant colored flowers. There are red, pink, orange, yellow, and white varieties.
Gerbera daisies have a low, compact growth form and thrive in full sun. They require heat and humidity, as well as rich, well-draining soil. One can cultivate them from seed in trays or buy a potted plant from the nursery.
Plant them in rockeries or wildlife gardens as they attract many different pollinators – butterflies, bees, and beetles.
9. Cosmos
Cosmos bipinnatus is one of the easiest, most forgiving annual plants to grow from seed. Native to Mexico, they thrive in hot, dry conditions. These fast-growing plants reach about 4 feet tall and flower in summer.
They produce large, showy, daisy-like flowers in many different hues –pink, purple, maroon, red, yellow, and white. Cosmos can be grown anywhere – zones 2 to 11 and are very low maintenance plants. They have fairly low water requirements but water them a little more if they grow in a hot, sunny position.
10. Swan River Daisy
Brachyscome iberidifolia, or the swan river daisy, is native to Western Australia. This little daisy has become a favorite garden plant all over the world and is a staple in classic English gardens. They are herbaceous annuals that can easily be grown from seed.
The flowers are pastel blue, lavender, white, or pink in color and have a typical daisy shape. Swan river daisy grows best in full sun and will reach about 20 inches tall. This is an excellent groundcover species due to its sprawling growth form.
Hardy to zones 8-10, they are grown as annuals elsewhere. Sow seeds directly into garden beds after the last frost of the season. This plant is not particular about soil type.
They can tolerate poor soil conditions but plant them in rich, well-draining soil and water them moderately.
11. Black Eyed Susan
Rudbeckia hirta, or black-eyed Susan is a North American plant that has become a staple in cottage gardens around the world. They are grown as annuals or perennials (zones 4 to 9). Black-eyed Susan flowers late in the season, towards the end of summer and fall.
They produce an abundance of bright yellow, red, or orange daisy flowers with a spikey, black center similar to coneflowers. They reach a height of around 3 feet when grown in full sun, but these plants can grow in partial shade. Because they take a while to grow from seed, most gardeners grow them from small nursery plants.
Once their roots have established, they are drought and heat tolerant.
12. African Daisy
Osteospermum is a genus of daisies known as African daisies. Because of where they come from, they are heat and drought tolerant once they have established. The gorgeous magenta, purple, pink, yellow, orange, and white flowers bloom from spring right through to fall.
The flowers’ centers are unusual and metallic looking. African daisies, also known as Cape daisies, like to grow in soil that is slightly acidic. These plants are herbaceous perennials hardy to zones 9-11.
Plant them in full sun during the spring. They look fantastic in a mixed border or in containers.
13. Zinnia
Zinnia elegans, or simply zinnia, are native to Mexico and thrive in hot, humid conditions. These herbaceous annuals are beloved garden flowers. Easy to grow from seed, simple to care for, and hardy in all zones 2 to 11, they are widely cultivated all over the world.
In summer, zinnias produce bright daisy-like flowers in a wide variety of colors from red to orange, yellow, white, chartreuse, pink, purple, and maroon. There are double and single flowering varieties. They reach up to 4 feet tall.
14. Blue Marguerite Daisy
Felecia amelloides, or the blue marguerite daisy, is native to South Africa. They bloom for a long time, producing masses of sky-blue daisy flowers with yellow centers. These perennial shrubs reach about 4 feet tall.
Blue marguerite daisies are hardy plants that can tolerate poor soils and heat. These low maintenance plants are grown as perennials in zone 8 to 11.
15. Paper Daisy
The paper daisy or everlasting flower is a member of the Asteraceae family that is cultivated for its intricate daisy-like flowers that make colorful dried flowers. There are many different species that are native to southern Africa, Madagascar, Australia, Eurasia. Helichrysum bracteatumis a popular garden cultivar that produces bright red, yellow, pink, orange, or white flowers all through summer and fall.
Sow paper daisy seeds at the start of spring – start the seedlings indoors to get a head start! Plant them in a sunny position in fertile, free-draining soil. They grow 1 to 5 feet tall. Plant paper daisies in rock gardens, cottage gardens, and in your borders.
16. Dandelion
Taraxacum officinale is the name of a plant that too many people take for granted – the common dandelion. These bright spring flowers often come up in lawns and fields and are considered a pest by some. However, the flowers, leaves and roots are edible, they look bright and cheerful, and the bees benefit greatly from them.
They are closely related to asters – this is apparent from their yellow, pom-pom flowers that resemble yellow asters. Plant dandelion seeds very early in spring (or just wait for them to arrive). People generally have no trouble growing them.
Plant them in any soil type and keep them regularly watered. In no time the plants will grow, reaching 2 to 6 inches tall. It’s a great idea to plant a container or dandelions near the kitchen so that you can easily grab a handful of greens.
17. Tickseed
Coreopsis is a genus of North American wildflowers that are called tickseed. These plants grow in vast swathes and produce huge numbers of yellow daisy-like blooms late in summer. Although they are annuals, they self-seed, so will perennialize in gardens in zones 4 to 9.
Tickseed is a great plant to grow in wildflower meadows or naturalistic plantings. It prefers growing in full sun and fertile, well-draining soil. The bushes reach about 1 to 3 feet tall.
18. Oxeye Daisy
Oxeye daisy, Leucanthemum vulgare, is a wildflower native to North America, Europe, and Asia. They are closely related to asters, as members of the Asteraceae family, and have characteristic white and yellow daisy-like flowers that bloom all summer long. They look like miniature Shasta daisies.
These plants grow vigorously and can be invasive in a garden. Deadhead the flowers before the seeds form as they will otherwise spread throughout the rest of your garden. Oxeye daisies are the perfect plant for wildflower meadows, natural plantings, and wildflower gardens.
They attract scores of pollinators. Sow oxeye daisy seeds in a sunny position in average soil that drains well. Keep the seedlings moist until they have been established.
They grow into small, round bushes about 1 to 3 feet tall.
19. Gaillardia Daisy
Gaillardia grandiflora is a colorful, striking member of the Asteraceae family. It does not look like your average daisy. They produce big, showy flowers with multicolored petals in shades of red, orange, yellow, and peach during summer and fall.
Gaillardias are perennials that have a short lifespan. Most gardeners buy them as potted plants from a garden center, as they take longer to grow from seed. The plants grow into shorts bushes, about 12 to 18 inches tall and wide.
They like to grow in full sun in any type of soil except for heavy clay. Their roots require good drainage. Gaillardias are native to North America so are hardy in zones 3 to 10.
20. Marigold
Tagetes erecta, or marigold, is a member of the Asteraceae family and is closely related to asters. Native to Mexico, they are hardy plants that thrive in hot, dry conditions. Marigolds are simple to grow from seed, require little care and maintenance, and bloom prolifically, even in dry, nutrient-poor soils.
Marigolds produce big, frilly flowers in hues of red, orange, and yellow. They can make a colorful statement in the garden when planted in masses. Due to the strong scent of the flowers and leaves, they repel pests, making them excellent plants to grow in veggie gardens.
Plant marigold seeds in any soil type, in full sun.
21. Painted Daisy
Tanacetum coccineum, the painted daisy, is a beloved garden flower because it blooms for such a long time in late spring and summer. Native to Asia, these herbaceous perennials enjoy growing in temperate climates. In cooler regions, they can grow in full sun, but in hotter regions, they should be planted in partial shade to protect them from harsh afternoon sunlight.
Painted daisies have white, pink, yellow, purple, red, or pink daisy flowers with yellow centers. They grow inro 2- to 3-foot-tall bushes. Plant panted daisies in any soil type, as long as they have good drainage.
Sandy, loamy soil is optimal. Painted daisies are hardy in USDA zones 3 to 7.
22. Golden Marguerite
Anthemis tinctoria, the golden marguerite, also known as yellow chamomile, is a herbaceous perennial that is native to Europe but is found throughout North America. These yellow daisy-looking wildflowers are members of the Asteraceae family. They are extremely hardy plants, able to tolerate dry, nutrient-poor soils.
They are also virtually pest-free. Golden marguerite (which is the French word for daisy) grows as a perennial in zones 3 to 7. It loves growing in full sun and reaches around 2 to 3 feet in height.
23. Pot Marigold
Calendula officinalis is a herbaceous annual that is native to Europe and northern Africa. It produces sweet-smelling orange daisy flowers throughout spring and summer. Calendula is a popular ornamental garden plant cultivated in zones 2 to 11.
Calendula is very simple to grow from seed and the plants are easy to care for. If you keep deadheading them, they will flower even longer. Plants grow into bushes about 12 to 24 inches tall.
Plant calendula seeds in average, well-draining soil – they do not need a lot of compost or fertilizer. Calendula grows well in full sun but can tolerate partial shade.
24. Livingstone Daisy
Cleretum bellidiforme, the Livingstone daisy, is a perennial succulent that is a member of the Aizoaceae family. This hardy little plant is native to South Africa and has green-grey, fleshy leaves and daisy-like flowers in pink, purple, cream, orange, and yellow. The plant has a low, creeping habit, reaching about 3 inches tall and spreading up to 2 feet.
They flower in summer and must be cut back after they have stopped blooming. Livingstone daisies are deciduous, going dormant over winter. Livingstone daisies are easy to grow from seed – sow them in late winter or early spring.
They enjoy growing in loamy, chalky, or sandy soil that has enough drainage. These plants are low-maintenance and pest-free for the most part. Slugs and snails can be a problem.
25. Ice Plant
Delosperma cooperi, the ice plant, is a low-growing evergreen succulent that is also native to South Africa. It gets the name “ice plant” from the sparkly appearance of the leaves. They are covered in microscopic hairs that refract and reflect light.
Ice plant produces bright magenta colored daisy-flowers in summer that last for a long time. It grows around 4 to 6 inches tall and grows into a thick mat. Ice plant is the perfect hardy groundcover.
These plants are easy to cultivate from seed and are very tough plants that tolerate dry, poor soils and hot conditions. They grow as perennials in zones 6 to 10. Plant ice plants in a sunny position in soil that drains well.
They are great plants for coastal gardens and do very well in containers and hanging containers.
