Aster 's name comes from the Greek and Latin words for star. There are many kinds of species within the Aster family, and they can grow in varying degrees of light, heat and moisture zones.

Astilbe  is also known as false goat beard and false spirea. This tall and fluffy plant grows best in shade.

The Balloon Flower , commonly called a Chinese or Japanese bellflower, has beautiful blue blooms, and is also used for medicinal purposes in many parts of Asia.  It is fairly self-sufficient.

The Basket of Gold , also called Alyssum, has tiny star-shaped flowers.  These are planted late in the year, and generally used as an edging for gardens and walkways. They require sun.

Many Bat-Faced Cuphea  plants are known for their honey-like oils and their ability to attract humming birds. 

Beard Tongue  is occasionally called penstemon, and is known for its long stamen and few lipped petals. It can grow between 10 centimetres and 3 metres. 

Bee Balm  is native to North America, where it was used for hundreds of years as an antiseptic as well as a seasoning. This plant requires sun and moist soil, but not standing water. Grows 1 to 3 feet tall. 

Harebell  is the common name for the Campanula, which is descended from the Latin word for bell. Flowers are generally blue or purple, but in some cases pink or white. There are many species of harebell, and they can range from tiny plants to 2m tall flowers. 

Black-Eyed Susan  has many nicknames, and can reach 1 to 2 metres in height. Native to North America, the Black-Eyed Susan prefers sunny areas to shade, and is a member of the sunflower family. 

Blanketflower , another member of the sunflower family, will grow about 45 to 60 cm tall. It hails from North America and is named after the vibrant blankets of the Native Americans.  These flowers bloom in bright colours, are extremely drought tolerant, and prefer dry conditions. 

Blazing Star  does better in a drier environment.  With its bushy petals and tall stems, this flower can be anywhere between 15 inches and 3 feet tall. 

Bleeding Heart  is actually poisonous, which is always something to take into account when planting your garden if there are going to be children or peckish pets around. Plants reach 2 to 3 feet tall. 

The Blue Plumbago  is originally from South Africa.  It requires sunny conditions, but will tolerate some shade. 

Bluebeard  plants grow to be 1 to 4 metres tall, are pollinated by butterflies and bumblebees, and need full sun, but not constant water.

Butterfly Bush  is native to China, has very tall blossoms and stems, and is aptly named, because the flowers attract butterflies. Lots of sun is better, but the butterfly bush can have a little shade. 

Butterfly Weed  also attracts butterflies and prefers dry soils. This plant can reach heights of up to two metres. It not only attracts butterflies, but is the main food staple for the queen butterflies when they are in caterpillar form. 

Candytuft  is a flower whose seeds and foliage have medicinal effects. 

Cardinal Flower  a form of lobelia, grows a little over a metre tall, and has bright red flowers, not unlike a cardinal. It attracts hummingbirds.

Carnations  have different meanings depending on the colour and the country. Almost universally the symbol of parental appreciation. 

Catmint , also known as catnip , is known for its profound effect on felines. The flowers are pink, purple, blue or white. Good natural defence against pests. 

Chinese Lantern  grows 40 to 60 cm tall, and sports a white flower that is followed by the papery orange covering for which it is named. 

Clematis  is a climbing flower with a purple-blue colour or a white bloom, and is very popular with caterpillars. It is toxic to humans. 

Columbine  are eaten extensively by caterpillars and moths. The seeds and roots are highly poisonous, and some think that ingesting these flowers in moderation is a good idea. Before purchasing, it really requires research. 

Coneflower , otherwise known as echinacea , is known for being attractive in gardens, as well as for its herbal uses to cut colds short. The flower grows to about 1 to 2 metres in height. 

Coreopsis  are usually yellowy-orange with a spiky centre. 

Cupid's Dart  is a purplish flower with rectangle shaped petals. Very popular for drying.

Crinum Lily  hails from Asia.  It is also known as poison bulb or spider lily.

The Dahlia  name comprises many species, each of different sizes and shapes. All, however, have slight to severe points on their petals.

Dame's Rocket  is a member of the mustard family, and its scent becomes more potent at night. It is generally higher than 100 cm, and flowers in its second year.

The Daylily  is a larger flower that is named for the fact that the blooms open with the sun and close with nightfall. They continue to bloom when cut and put in a vase. 

Delphiniums  are pretty flowers that pose extreme hazards when not handled correctly, and cause problems with grazing animals when eaten. However, when they are used correctly, they can be added to medicines.

The Dianthus  family covers a large portion of the flower community, including Carnations and Sweet Williams. They are generally pink to red, and include over 300 species of flowering plants. 

Fanflower  or Scaevola  include 130 species.  It is named for the Latin word for left-handed, because of the shape the flower makes when halved. 

Firebush  are exceptionally popular with hummingbirds and butterflies. Many include them in their gardens for their ability to attract hummingbirds, and also for their red colouring. 

Flax  is a fibrous plant that can grow up to 1.2 metres tall. The plant has been used for centuries for food and clothing, but the flower has become popular for gardens as well. 

Foamflower  is a wild flower by nature, but can do very well in gardens as well; their asterisk-like white blooms will nicely complement almost any garden. 

Forget-Me-Not : These tiny flowers, with about 50 species included in their genus, are also known by the Latin name, 'myosotis,' which means mouse's ear. They flourish in shade. 

Foxglove 's scientific name, digitalis, means finger-like, because one tube-like bloom can fit over a human finger. It is also toxic when ingested.

Garden Mum  is a late blooming plant that flowers in late summer to early fall, and thrives in wetter soil. 

Hibiscus  shrubs and flowers only bloom in very warm areas (between 15 to 30ºC), and they require a lot of water. They are in some herbal teas, and are the national flower of both South Korea and Malaysia.

Jacob's Ladder  can grow from 10 to 120 cm tall, and includes 25 species of plants in its genus. Most species have blue flowers that bloom in spring and summer. 

Hyssop  is a fragrant blue flower that can grow up to 60 cm tall. There are numerous biblical mentions of the plant. It is popular with moth larvae.

Kaffir Lily , more commonly known as the River Lily, can grow to 60 cm tall.  It hails from Zimbabwe and thrives in temperatures between -5 to -10ºC. 

Lantana  is a shrub flower in orange, yellow, red and blue, and includes over 150 species of plants.  They are native to South America and Africa, and grow half a metre to two metres tall. 

Lavender  is part of the mint family, and includes almost 40 species.  The flowers are known for their fragrance, and can be used for medicinal purposes, such as antiseptics. 

Lithodora , a shorter plant, is generally under 15 cm in height.  It does well in sunlight, and is a medium blue colour. Some have allergic reactions to the plant that can result in skin irritation. 

Louisiana Phlox  is a colourful flower (often blue, red, or white) native to North America.  The family includes 67 species, and is very popular with moth larvae. 

Lupin , or Lupine , includes about 600 species of the flower. They are taller plants with a characteristically tubular shape; they can add nutrients to soil, which aids other nearby plants. 

The Maltese Cross  thrives in drier soil and full sunlight.  It is a colourful plant that blooms in warm hues like red, orange, yellow, and pink, and it can be anywhere between 35 and 100 cm tall. 

The Money Plant , also known as Annual Honesty, has coin-shaped seed pods, which lend their name. It is a biennial plant, which means it takes two years to live, bloom, seed, and die.

The Obedient Plant  is a pink-purple coloured flower, but can be found in white.  It is native to North America and grows up  four feet tall.

The Oriental Poppy  is a brightly coloured bloom which flowers in warm weather (21ºC) and goes dormant in early fall. Poppies do not transplant well, and are at their best in full sun. 

Ozark Primrose  flowers for a short period, and the blooms open at dusk. They work well in rock gardens, and are native to North America. 

Pentas  can be red, white, purple or pink, and attract butterflies and hummingbirds. They do well in full sun with little water, and are named for their five petalled flowers. 

The Peony  is a shrub flower that grows up to three metres tall.  Flowers are red, pink, and yellow, and bloom in late spring or early summer. The plant is native to Asia and Southern Europe. 

Perennial Verbena  can be white, pink, blue, or purple, and are very popular with butterflies. The plant can be used in herbal tea. 

Red Hot Poker  is a very tall, tubular shaped flower, similar in appearance to certain lilies. Flowers are red, orange or yellow, and are named for their bright colouring. 

Rock Cress  grows 10-80 cm tall, and has small white flowers. It is in a large genus that includes species from Europe as well as from North and South America.

Pincushion Flower  is a light purple to white bloom that is native to Europe and Asia.  Its nectar is very popular with moths and insects. 

Rosemary  is actually known in Latin as 'dew of the sea.'  It has evergreen leaves, and blooms in pink, white, purple, and blue. It is commonly used as an herb to impart scent and flavour.

Russian Sage  can survive cold, as well as dry soils. It gives off an aroma when crushed, and blooms with blue or purple flowers. It is native to Pakistan. 

Salvia/Ornamental Sages  are a large genus of the mint family.  They generally give off a scent when crushed, and many are employed in cooking. 

Saxifrage  is known in Latin as 'stone breaker' because of its ability to expand cracks in rocks. The flowers have five petals and are white, yellow, or red. 

Sea Pink  can actually be pink or white.  It is native to the eastern coast of North America, and can be up to 50 cm tall.

Sedum  stores water in its leaves, which are sometimes used as salad garnishes.  However, only certain species can be eaten without slight toxic effects. 

The Shasta Daisy  is larger than the Ox Eye Daisy, but with the same appearance, and an additional pungent odour. Some find this scent irritating. 

 Skullcap  ranges from 5 cm to 1 metre tall, and includes about 300 species.  These plants thrive in mountainous and hilly conditions. 

Snow-in-Summer  does well in dry to very dry soils, and is recommended for rock gardens, since it has a habit of covering expanses of ground. The stems are grey and the flowers are white. 

Soapwort  can grow between 10 and 60 cm tall, and grows in most conditions. The roots are traditionally used as soap ingredients. 

Society Garlic  can survive without much water, and can grow to half a metre tall.  It has pink and purple flowers that smell like garlic when picked. 

Speedwell , or Veronicas (named for St. Veronica), are blue and purple, with dark stripes on the petals. The plant is a member of the snapdragon family, and flowers have four petals. 

The Spider Lily  originated in Asia, where its poisonous bulbs were used to keep rodents away from crops. 

Spiderwort  is native to The Americas.  It is generally blue, but can also be found in pink, purple, and white; many bloom in the morning. Occasionally classified as a weed. 

Stokes' Aster  grows to one to two feet tall, and flowers in blue, purple, pink, or white, with fringed petals. It requires well drained soil and full sunlight. 

Summer Phlox  thrives with well drained soil and full sun, and blooms with red, purple, pink, and white flowers. Popular with butterflies, this summer plant blooms from June to fall.

Sweet Violet  is a purple or white flower, aromatic, and edible. It is native to Europe and Asia, and can grow wild in grasses. 

Thrift (Moss Pink)  traditionally grows near the coast, can reach about 6 inches in height, and blooms in early spring, in red, pink, purple, blue, and white flowers. It thrives in full sun, and is popular with butterflies. 

Whirling Butterflies  can be 50 to 150 cm tall, and bloom in pink or white. They flourish in full sun, but can go without water for stretches of time.  They are native to Texas and the southern states of America. 

Yarrow  flowers between May and June.  It is popular with butterflies, and need to be planted shallowly.