The Plant Lover’s Guide to Asters

The daisy-shaped flowers of asters are in bloom from late summer into fall and are available in shades of white, pink, purple, and blue. Native to American habitats like meadows, prairies, thickets, and swamps, asters can be grown in a huge range of climates. The Plant Lover''s Guide to Asters, by nursery owners Paul and Helen Picton, highlights 101 species and cultivars that are readily available in garden centers. Featuring information on growth, care, and design, along with suggested companion plants and hundreds of gorgeous color photographs, it covers everything a home gardener needs to introduce these delightful plants into their garden.

Paul Picton is a specialist grower of autumn-flowering asters. Paul started working alongside his father, Percy, at Old Court Nurseries when he was sixteen and has been surrounded by asters his entire life. The Picton family continues to operate both Old Court Nurseries and the Picton Garden in Herefordshire, England. With more than fifty years of experience, Paul has a vast, irreplaceable knowledge of the genus. He has travelled all over the country to give horticultural talks and is well respected within the horticultural community. Paul is author of The Gardener’s Guide to Growing Asters.
Helen Picton is a specialist grower of autumn-flowering asters. The Picton family operates Old Court Nurseries and the Picton Garden in Herefordshire, England. The nursery was established in 1906 by Ernest Ballard, the first nurseryman to popularize autumn-flowering asters. The Pictons hold the Plant Heritage National Plant Collection of autumn-flowering asters, with more than four hundred forms present in the collection. Helen joined the business after completing a botany degree at the University of Reading, and has since then been working full time with the asters. She also lectures and gives talks throughout the United Kingdom.