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.
Related: 
Growing Asters
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