By Tamara Galbraith

Asters are a hardy perennial that brings life and color to any garden.

The hardy blue aster (Aster novae-angliae) is the common fall-blooming variety. Asters produce large clusters of delicate daisy-like flowers in many other colors, like white, purple, lavender, pink or red. They are hardy in USDA zones 4 through 9, depending on the variety.

Asters should be planted in moist well-drained soil and in full sun to light shade. The clumps get big quick, so give them some room. Divide the clumps every 3 - 4 years in the early spring or in late fall after the flowering has finished.

There are also dwarf varieties which aren't quite so pushy, but in the fall--when it seems like the burnt autumn colors of mums are everywhere--a big, fat blue aster can bring a welcome flash of pastel to the garden.