Aster is a genus of perennial flowering plants in the family Asteraceae, which encompasses around 170 species, all but one of which are restricted to Eurasia). The name Aster comes from the Ancient Greek word ἀστήρ (astḗr), meaning "star", referring to the shape of the flower head). Asters are notable for their starburst arrangement of bright petals, which most often surround a yellow center. They are popular as garden plants because of their attractive and colorful flowers). Asters can grow in all hardiness zones and are used as food plants by the larvae of a number of Lepidoptera species). Some species of asters are annual or biennial, while most are herbaceous perennials that die back to the ground in winter. Asters are the pollinator stars of the garden from late summer through fall and are one of the last great feeding opportunities for bees. They can be planted almost any time of the growing season, and its best to plant them no later than early fall in the North to allow plants time to establish themselves before winter. Asters are long-lived and easy to maintain, with limited pest and disease problems.