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Annual Biennial

Callistephus chinensis
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

China aster

Varies in height from 20 to 70cm, and width from 25 to 45cm. Chrysanthemum-like flowers can be single, semi double or double, 7 to 12cm across and held on branching stems over a long period from late summer into autumn. Colours include light and dark purple, light and dark pink, red, yellow and white

Other common names
annual aster
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1 year
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Clay
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Purple Red White Yellow Green
Autumn Pink Purple Red White Yellow Green
Winter
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H2
Botanical details
Family
Asteraceae
Native to GB / Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus

Callistephus are bushy, upright annuals with coarsely toothed ovate leaves and large, solitary, daisy-like flower-heads, often double in cultivars, in late summer and autumn

Name status

Correct

Plant range
China

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in a sheltered site in fertile, neutral to alkaline, moist but well-drained soil in full sun. Tall cultivars require staking

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown at 16°C in early spring or in situ in mid-spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Wildlife gardens
  • Mediterranean climate plants
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Deadhead to prolong flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids and cutworms

Diseases

Prone to wilt diseases

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