Description

China Aster ‘Salmon Queen’

Callistephus chinensis

After the King,  China Aster ‘King Size Apricot’,  here comes the Queen!

The same shade as China Aster ‘King Size Apricot’, ‘Salmon Queen’ has more flower heads in a petite size.

Perfect for the smaller garden.

This China Aster produces smaller flowers in branches meaning they stand up better in rain showers, as well as giving you more blooms to pick and leave for garden display!

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

How to grow:

China Aster ‘Salmon Queen’ 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: 80-90cm
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 branching 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.