This annual has many upright stems that rise from the base and form a vase habit. It has dark green ovate leaves and the pink, white, blue, red, purple chrysanthemum-like flowers are single or double and appear above the foliage from early to late summer.

Hardiness zones 8 to 11

Callistephus chinensis is naturally found from China to Japan growing in well drained fertile moist light soils in an open sunny wind protected position and is frost and drought tender.

China Aster is grown for its flowers and is mass planted for bedding displays or used for garden colour in border plantings. It is an excellent cut flower if pick early morning and place in deep fresh water. It is suitable for cottage or small gardens and is grown as a commercial crop for the floristry industry. It is suitable for coastal and inland regions and establishes in one season. ID 202

Callistephus(ka-lee-STEF-us) chinensis(chin-EN-sis)

'Callistephus': from Greek kallistos + stephos - beautiful crown; 'chinensis': of China.

Asteraceae (ass-ter-AY-see-ee)     
(Compositae)
Sunflower Family