China Aster ‘Harlekin Violet’
Callistephus chinensis
Description
These waist-high plants produce a bumper crop of giant, textural flowers held on long, strong stems. The warm, rich grape-purple blooms of this eye-catching beauty are offset by chocolate-colored stems and deep green foliage. An excellent cut flower and a must-grow for late summer and autumn bouquets.
Details
Plant type: annual
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 110 to 120 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 110 to 120 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: not necessary
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in trays 6 to 8 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Don’t bury seeds too deeply; lightly cover with soil or vermiculite.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest single-stem varieties when flowers are 50 percent open. For spray varieties, harvest when one-quarter of the flowers on a stem have opened. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.
Details
Description
These waist-high plants produce a bumper crop of giant, textural flowers held on long, strong stems. The warm, rich grape-purple blooms of this eye-catching beauty are offset by chocolate-colored stems and deep green foliage. An excellent cut flower and a must-grow for late summer and autumn bouquets.
Details
Plant type: annual
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 110 to 120 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 24 to 36 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 110 to 120 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: not necessary
Seed Sowing & Growing Notes
Start seed indoors in trays 6 to 8 weeks before last frost; transplant out after all danger of frost has passed. Don’t bury seeds too deeply; lightly cover with soil or vermiculite.
Harvesting/Vase Life
Harvest single-stem varieties when flowers are 50 percent open. For spray varieties, harvest when one-quarter of the flowers on a stem have opened. Expect a vase life of 7 to 10 days.
Sources
How to Grow
Sources
How to Grow
Winter Mini Course: Seed-Starting 101
Learn how to start flowers from seed in this three-part video series
In our upcoming Winter Mini Course, you’ll learn everything you need to know to successfully start flowers from seed, including all of the necessary supplies, step-by-step instructions, special tips and tricks, and how to create a simple indoor seed-starting area.
