The name Aster comes from the Ancient Greek word ἀστήρ (astḗr), meaning "star", referring to the shape of the flower head. Many species and a variety of hybrids and varieties are popular as garden plants because of their attractive and colorful flowers. Aster species are used as food plants by the larvae of a number of butterfly and moth species (Lepidoptera) Asters can grow in all hardiness zones.
