Where’d all the asters go?
This month I’ve been sharing a perennial each day on Instagram, highlighting reliable work horses and beautiful plants that I wouldn’t be without in the garden. So far I’ve looked at species of Echinacea, Amsonia, Liatris, and several Asters.
With another 20 days of February to go, I imagine there will be several more Asters that deserve an appearance. But — as always happens these days when I am searching for species on nursery inventory lists — the latin genus ‘Aster’ no longer covers many of the plants I’m trying to find. Colloquially, clients and colleagues know what I’m talking about when I refer to Aromatic or New England Asters by their latin (Aster oblongifolium, Aster novae-angliae). But for quite a few years now I’ve been in the wrong and continue to use their outdated botanical names, ignorantly refusing to play by the new rules. And I am fully in the wrong. So I wanted to dig a bit deeper into what is still an Aster, and how are the new genus’ organized?
A while ago, Aster was split into a slew of new Genus’. And, perhaps oversimplifying, it’s primarily the North American species that were cast off with new identities. By and large European and Asian asters are still Aster. Aster amellus the main one. Commonly its known as European Michaelmas Daisy, or Italian Aster.
Here’s where our Asters landed:
(The Plantsman’s Preference UK)
Most prevalent in our New England gardens: we’re having to adapt to the names Eurybia, Symphyotrichum, and Doellingeria.
Here’s how they are organized:
Eurybia
Includes 23 species which tend to be more tolerant of shade than other Asters. Many of them tend to creep over the surface, and are less prone to clumping. Our White Wood Aster is in this category.
Symphyotrichum
What a mouthful! This one I’m going to continue to not play by the rules with, but here’s some info regardless. This is where we’ll find our New England Aster, Smooth Aster, Blue Wood Aster, and many, many other fan favorites. In some ways: when in doubt, look for your favorite Asters under this new name.
Doellingeria
This one only effects one of our local favorites (Flat Topped Aster, Doellingeria umbellata)
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While the name changes themselves are sometimes cause for frustration, perhaps the only other annoyance that will come from this is revised species spelling. Since the latin names are generally gendered, plants like Aster macrophyllus now become Eurybia macrophylla. Not a big deal. Just one more thing to complain about.
I’m a gardener and designer, not a professional botanist. So I will wade into this new chapter of Asters remembering that people who know a whole lot more than me made these decisions. And that I still get to enjoy them in the landscape just as much.
