Wildflower Wednesday September edition.
This month I am going to go broad with my wildflower. The Aster. There are around 170 species within the genus ASTERACEAE. (Did you know that garden mums are also asters?) I am touching on the purple ones that come to mind when I hear the word “Aster”. The ones that grow wild in sunny meadows, ditches and fields.
Asters make me think of FALL. They generally start blooming late August, which means the best month of of the year is about to start. September. September to me means my wedding anniversary, birthday, apples dipped in caramel sauce, and a treat of at least one Salted Caramel Mocha. (That’s right – keep your Pumpkin Spiced Latte away from me until late October, this is apple and caramel season, haha) Oh, and it just so happens that the Aster is one of the birth-flowers for the month of September- how perfect!
- Family: Asteraceace
- Grows: meadows, woodland edges, full sun
- Common Names: Aster
- Blooming Time: late summer through fall
- Bloom Colors: various shades of purple
- Height: one to six feet depending on species
Maybe I like the Aster so much because it is a simple flower. It’s colors are vibrant as everything else begins to slow down and fade. The hustle and bustle of summer has began to wind down, and all things fall and cozy are starting. It keeps the bees busy through the fall! It’s one last flower blooming before fall colors begin appearing in the trees. They are like little rays of purple sunshine.
To date purple Asters of all types appear in the Baby Ranger Books: Colors Redwoods, Yosemite 123, One Two Three Great Smoky Mountains, and 123 Grand Canyon Each are available as paperback books, as well as kindle downloads.
As always- go on an adventure, and see what you can find growing in the wild! Tag me on social media in pictures with your Aster findings!
You must be logged in to post a comment.