CHINESE ASTERS

Chinese aster (Callistephus chinensis - Tall Paeony Duchess) comes in great mix of colours! There is yellow, scarlet, apricot, dark blue, pink, magenta, and more. Duchess Asters have huge, double blooms with incurved petals that grow on tall, upright plants with 5 to 8 floral stems. Aster Callistephus are an excellent cutting flower and have a long vase-life. Their flowers are similar to autumn chrysanthemums, but they bloom so much earlier in the season.

Asters grow quickly and bloom heavily. Start the Aster seeds in the spring 6 to 8 weeks before the end of frost season. The flower seeds are small, so press them into the soil gently and lightly cover them. Harden the Aster plants off for 10 to 14 days before transplanting outdoors in a sunny to part sun position.

This post is part of the Floral Friday Fotos meme.