A quintessentially British bloom has experienced an extraordinary resurgence, with demand for asters soaring by almost 350 per cent in just two years at Tesco.
These colourful flowers have claimed the title of Britain's most rapidly expanding gift bouquet.
The Victorian-era favourites, seen at the time as a symbol of love, patience, elegance, and grace, have captured modern shoppers' hearts through their "vivid" appearance and exceptional value.
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Their renaissance marks a notable shift in British floral preferences, with sales figures revealing unprecedented growth.
This remarkable revival has transformed asters from forgotten blooms into must-have bouquets, demonstrating how traditional British flowers can reclaim their rightful place in contemporary culture.
Lincolnshire-based L&D Flowers has cultivated an astounding five million stems for the current season, emerging as Britain's leading aster producer.
Tesco's flowers expert and technical manager, Jamie Simpson, commented: "Asters are glorious flowers that have only recently come back into vogue with growers but, in just two years, have made a sensational impact with shoppers."
'Asters are glorious flowers that have only recently come back into vogue'
|TESCO
The Matsumoto variety, also called Japanese Aster, produces "beautiful, daisy-like flower heads" in an array of blue, purple, pink, crimson, and white hues.
Each flower features a distinctive bright yellow centre that enhances its visual appeal.
Tesco's pricing strategy has made these heritage blooms accessible to all British households.
Single-colour bunches retail at just £3, while mixed arrangements offering greater variety are priced at £6.
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Asters were seen as a symbol of love, patience, elegance, and grace in the Victorian era
|GETTY IMAGES
Their affordability ensures these Victorian classics can grace homes across the nation, from modest flats to grand estates, proving that British horticultural excellence needn't break the bank.
Managing director at L&D Flowers, James Lacey, said: "Similar to a lot of fruit grown in the UK this year, we have experienced a bumper crop of asters this summer because of all the sunshine and extra hours of daylight.
"We only started growing asters three years ago as a result of the success we have had with sunflowers, but we've really been taken aback by just how popular the flower has become in so short a space of time."
In 2022, L&D Flowers planted enough asters to create 100,000 bunches, which "flew off the shelves".
Three years later, the grower has produced enough for a whopping 1.2 million bunches, marking a 1,100 per cent increase on its initial planting.
For Britons seeking alternative flower arrangements, Marks & Spencer has launched a brand-new range to elevate British homes.
Promising to "instantly uplift any space", the supermarket's new selection of sunflowers provides a touch of summer joy.
The retailer's latest collection features vibrant cultivars such as the "fiery-bright" Helios flame and the deep-burgundy Pro Cut red, as well as Sun Rich Gold, Solano Gold, and Double Sunflowers.