This showy yearly is a favorite for cut efflorescence arrangements .
China aster(Callistephus chinensis ) , an promiscuous - to - farm annual known for its showy blossoms , is a favorite cut prime that blooms in late bounce or early summertime through nightfall . This coolheaded - weather plant life follow in an array of colors and heights .
The white , pink , red , blue , reddish blue , purple , or yellow flowers typically open to 3 to 5 inches in diam , look on the change . The most common mannequin is a unmarried row of colorful petals around a jaundiced central disk ; however , there are semidouble character with several rows of outer petals around a yellow disk , duple blooms with no icteric center visible , and shaggy-coated pompoms popular in bouquets . The oval medium - sized green leaves have slightly serrate edges .
Where to Plant China Aster
Plant china aster in garden beds , rationalize gardens , or containers . It grows best in moist , loamy , well - drain soil but tolerates other grime precondition . posit the plants infull Dominicus to partial tincture .
How and When to Plant China Aster
China aster is easy to start from ejaculate . When jump indoors , sow seeds six to eight weeks before the last natural spring frost date . If sowing like a shot in a garden bed , seed seeds after the last spring freeze escort with successive plantings at two - hebdomad interval . Cover the seed with 1/8 inch of territory and keep the dirt moist . With a grease temperature of 65 - 70 ° F , the seed should pullulate in 10 - 15 days . The plants appreciate good atmosphere circulation , so slenderize the seedlings to 6 - 12 inches aside . Tall salmagundi may involve staking or other keep .
China Aster Care Tips
Light
China asters grow in full sun or fond refinement . When mature in hot climates , they benefit from some midday shade .
Soil and Water
You ’ll get an upright industrial plant with vibrant colors when China aster is planted in full-bodied , systematically moist , well - drainingsoil with apH of 5.5–7.5 . pee the plants twice a week — more often in teetotal climates .
Temperature and Humidity
A cool - time of year grower , China aster will not be happy in warm southerly mood during the summer . If it get too hot , the plant will likely stop blooming , but it comes back in evenfall with another cool - season show .
Fertilizer
During the growing time of year , fertilise China aster with abalanced 10 - 10 - 10 water - soluble fertilizerevery two weeks , following the instructions on the product promotion .
Pruning
To make a bushier plant and additional prime , dilute it back to half its height in midsummer .
Potting and Repotting
China aster is a shallow - rooted plant that grow well in containers as long as the soil never dries out . Choose a container an inch wider than the mature plant life , make certain it has drainage holes . satisfy it withcommercial potting soiland lend the works . Spread a layer of mulch on the soil to keep back moisture , and water the plant at its base once a week .
Pests and Problems
China aster is susceptible to a few pests , includingaphidsand wanderer soupcon . Potential diseases let in aster yellows , aster wilt , and stem rot . The best solution is to dig up and move out any pathological plants . You may also take to move plants to different locations each twelvemonth to keep transmission system of disease .
Use these garden pestilence ascendence method acting to protect your China aster .
How to Propagate China Aster
China aster are annual that are best propagated by seed . After the blush are spent , the seed capsules ripen . Cut them and severalize the seed from the chaff , or hang them to dry out above a tarp that catches the falling seed . Plant them 1/8 in deep inseed - take off mixin a seed prostrate in former spring and keep them in burnished light until they germinate , or sow the seed outside when the ground warms .
New Innovations
oeuvre is ongoing to germinate even more heart - catching varieties on stout stems to take vantage of theselong - hold out flowersin bouquets . There are also varieties being grown with the home gardener in mind . Because of this , many dissimilar high are usable .
Types of China Aster
‘Matsumoto’ China Aster
Callistephus chinensis’Matsumoto ' is a tough , wilt - resistive aster . This series has semidouble flowers in just about every color and reaches 24 to 30 inches tall . Great for cut .
‘Milady’ Series China Aster
Callistephus chinensis’Milady ' serial publication is a fully double series with chrysanthemum - like blooms in a wide variety of colour . This series also has estimable wilt disease resistance .
‘Starlight’ Mix China Aster
Callistephuschinensis’Starlight ' premix has threadlike petal in a variety of jewel tones . These flower look like fireworks . Dwarf plant are great for containers or the front of the border .
Plant China Companion Plants
Coralbells
Exciting unexampled selections with unbelievable foliage patterns have put Heuchera sanguinea on the map . antecedently enjoyed primarily for their spires of dainty ruby flowers , coralbellsare now grown as much for the strange mottling and veining of different - coloring material leaves . The low clumps of long - stem evergreen or semi - evergreen lobed foliage make coralbells fine groundcover plant . They revel hummus - plentiful , wet - retain ground . Beware of heaving in areas with very cold winters .
Marguerite Daisy
For a spectacular show during nerveless atmospheric condition , plantmarguerite daisy . Often fuddle with shasta daisy , marguerite is more mounded and shrubby . dissimilar type also come in pink with a efflorescence resemble purple coneflower . Marguerite daisy ’s trademark is that it bonk cool atmospheric condition — and blooms good in most areas in saltation and fall , though it will continue to bloom through the summer in soft - summer areas . Even when it ’s not in bloom , the dark immature , fine reduce foliation looks good against just about any light - people of color blossom .
Fountaingrass
Like many grasses , fountaingrass is spectacularwhen backlit by the rising or setting sun . Named for its exceptionally graceful atomizer of foliage , fountaingrass also sends out beautiful , fuzzy flower plume in late summer . The ashen , pink , or red plumes ( depending on variety ) extend into fall and bring a informal , cozy look to plantings . This plant ego - seeds freely , sometimes to the point of becoming invasive .
Frequently Asked Questions
Unlike other aster , China aster is an one-year , so it does n’t live on the cold of winter . Unless it reseeds itself , it must be planted each year .
When they are harvested correctly and hold on in a dry lieu , the seeds remain viable for three eld .
