China Aster ‘Lady Coral Lavender’
Callistephus chinensis
Description
One of the most uniquely colored asters we’ve ever seen, this moody gem reminds us of the Pacific Northwest skies during winter. This smoky-lavender beauty has a muted, metallic quality and its subtle light center offers extra dimension. Each plant is smothered in at least a dozen stems topped with ruffled blooms. Petals are slightly incurved and the flowers hold up very well in both the garden and the vase.
Details
Plant type: annual
Height: 24 to 28 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 110 to 120 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 24 to 28 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
One of the most uniquely colored asters we’ve ever seen, this moody gem reminds us of the Pacific Northwest skies during winter. This smoky-lavender beauty has a muted, metallic quality and its subtle light center offers extra dimension. Each plant is smothered in at least a dozen stems topped with ruffled blooms. Petals are slightly incurved and the flowers hold up very well in both the garden and the vase.
Details
Plant type: annual
Height: 24 to 28 in
Site: full sun
Days to maturity: 110 to 120 days
Plant spacing: 9 in
Pinch: not necessary
Height: 24 to 28 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
Seed-Saving Mini Course
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In our upcoming free, three-part video series, you’ll learn everything you need to know to save seeds on a home scale, including how plants are pollinated and isolation techniques to ensure varieties come back true, how to tell when plants are ready to pick and how to harvest the seeds, and how to properly dry, clean, and store seeds long term.
