China Aster (Annual Aster)
Callistephus chinensis. ASTERACEAE (COMPOSITAE).
Planting and Growing China Aster
You’ll find everything you need to know to plant and grow China aster in the accompanying table’s tabs:
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- Flowers, foliage, and root structure of China aster
- Plant hardiness and growing conditions for China aster
- Season of bloom and planting time for China aster
- When, how deep, and where to plant China aster
- How to plant China aster
- Watering, fertilizing, care, and pests or diseases of China aster
- Landscape and container uses of China aster
- Comments about China aster and its features
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Growing China Aster
Many cultivars of erect or branching annual herbs, 8–32 in. (20–80 cm) tall. Matte, green, oval or lance-shaped, deeply toothed leaves, to 5 in. (13 cm) long.
Common cultivars include Callistephus chinensis ‘Dwarf Queen’, ‘Giant Perfection’, and ‘Powerpuff Super Bouquet’.
See also Aster, Aster species, a related perennial plant family with over 600 species and thousands of hybrids and cultivars. Stokes’ Aster, Stokesia laevis, has a somewhat similar appearance but is a member of a different plant family.
Planting and Care Guide
Blooms
Solitary blue, pink, purple, red, white, yellow, round, single- or double-petaled flowers, 2–5 in. (50–125 mm) wide, in early summer–first frost.
Best Climates
Self-seeding, zones 6–10.
Soil Type and Fertility
Moist, well-drained soil. Fertility: Rich. 6.5–7.0 pH.
Where and How to Plant
Spring in full to filtered sun, 1 ft. (30 cm) apart, after soil warms.
Proper Care
Easy. Keep evenly moist; avoid wetting foliage. Fertilize monthly. Mulch. Deadhead spent flowers and pinch foliage to prolong bloom. Propagate by seed. Rotate plantings each year.
About This Plant
Good choice for beds, borders, containers in cottage, formal, meadow, shade gardens. Good for cutting. Root aphid, blister beetle, leafhopper and aster wilt, aster yellows susceptible.