| Botanical Name: | Callistephus Chinensis (Chinese Aster) |
| Life Cycle: | annual |
| Planting Time: | spring or summer |
| Height: | dwarf types 8" to 12"; full-sized plants 1 to 3 ft |
| Exposure: | full sun to partial shade |
| Soil: | rich well-drained soil, evenly moist; neutral to alkaline pH |
| Hardiness: | n/a |
| Bloom Time: | early summer until frost |
| Flower: | daisy-like blooms in a rainbow of colors |
| Foliage: | green |
| Propagation: | seeds; plant them in the spring after the last frost and every two weeks for continuous color |
| Suggested Use: | beds, borders, cut flowers, excellent for adding early color to mixed plantings |
| Growing Hints: | Chinese asters bloom for approximately one month and can be pulled up after blooming. Avoid planting them in the same location two years in a row to minimize fungal disease. Pinch back 6-8 inches once per summer for bushier plants that bloom into fall. Pinching back after mid-July will have opposite effect. |
