Description

China Aster ‘Lavender Grey’

Callistephus chinensis

The amazing China Aster ‘Lavender Grey’, is the most unusual colour and looks incredible with China Aster ‘Chamois’ and/or China Aster ‘King Size Apricot’!

The fully double flowers are ever so slightly shorter than the other Asters in the range so pop this in front if you are growing more than one of our varieties.

Don’t confuse these with perennial Asters (Symphyotrichum) which can be invasive, this showstopper is from Northern China.

How to grow:

China Aster ‘Lavender Grey’ is interesting and fun to grow being both cold and light sensitive, so don’t start them too early.

Seeds will benefit from ‘a bit of warmth’ to germinate, 20-22°C is ideal, a warm kitchen or a heat mat.

I sow one seed per cell on to the surface of the compost only covering with a clear propagator lid to retain moisture and humidity.

Plant 22cm apart after the last frost.

For more detailed growing instructions join our ‘Grow-A-Long’  and for busy gardeners you can now plan ahead with our Spring Grow-A-Long Handbook.

Details:
Variety: Callistephus chinensis
Type: Half Hardy Annual
Position: Plants require full sun
Sow: Spring
Height: Lavender Grey 60-75cm (28-32”) (2-2 ½ ft)
Spacing: 22cm
Harvest: dramatic displays from July until September
Seeds per packet: 50 (approx. counted by weight)

Cutting /Vase Life:

China Asters are a fabulous cut flower, producing large blooms on strong slender stems. For the longest vase life (7-10 days), pick as soon as flowers begin to open and rest stems in a bucket of water for a few hours (preferably overnight) before arranging, this is called conditioning.