Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Aster China Peony Mix
Aster China Peony Mix
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Aster 'China Peony Mix' Seeds
If you miss your peonies in June, the 'China Peony Mix' is here to save the season. This spectacular variety produces massive, fully double blooms with petals that curve inwards, creating a dense, ball-like shape that looks remarkably like a high-end Peony or Chrysanthemum.
The mix features a regal palette of jewel tones, including deep velvet purple, crimson-red, soft pink, and violet-blue. Standing on strong, upright stems (approx. 60-70cm), these are professional-grade cut flowers that hold their shape for up to two weeks in a vase, bridging the gap between summer bedding and autumn pumpkins.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
The China Aster (*Callistephus chinensis*) is a Half-Hardy Annual.
The 'Peony' type is distinct from the shaggy 'Ostrich Plume'. Its "incurved" petals protect the centre of the flower from rain, making it more weather-resistant and longer-lasting in the garden than other varieties.
The "September Gap": This plant hits its peak just as the summer perennials are fading but before the Dahlias have fully taken over, filling a crucial hole in the gardening calendar.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Asters appreciate a warm start but reward you with weeks of colour.
Germination:
Sow indoors from March to April. Surface sow onto moist compost and cover with a fine sprinkling of vermiculite (approx 3mm). Keep at 18-21°C. Germination takes 10-14 days.
Where to Sow:
Plant out after the last frost (late May/June). They need full sun and rich, well-drained soil to support those heavy flower heads.
Care While Growing:
Rotation: To keep plants healthy and avoid Fusarium wilt, do not plant Asters in the same soil two years running.
Support: The "Peony" heads are large and can hold water. Stake the plants or grow through netting to keep them upright in autumn storms.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Callistephus chinensis |
| Common Name | China Aster 'Peony Mix' |
| Hardiness | H2 (Half-Hardy - Needs Frost Protection) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 60cm - 70cm (Tall) |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 25cm apart |
| Great for | ✂️ Cut Flowers 🍂 Late Summer Colour 🎨 Jewel-Toned Borders 🐝 Late Season Nectar |
| Seed Count | Approx. 100 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Because Asters bloom late, they need companions that also have stamina:
- 🌼 Rudbeckia 'Marmalade': The Golden Contrast. The rich yellows and browns of Rudbeckia look stunning against the deep purple and blue tones of the Aster mix.
- 🌿 Ammi Majus (Bishop's Flower): The Foliage. The white lace acts as the perfect filler foliage in a vase to support the heavy Aster heads.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring. Flowering begins in late summer (August) and continues into autumn.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Plant Out | 🌱 | 🌱 | ||||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Cut Flower Tip
To extend their vase life (which is already excellent), remove all leaves that would sit below the water line. This prevents bacteria build-up and keeps the stems clean.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This variety is often used in professional floristry due to its strong stems and uniform flower shape, making it a reliable choice for weddings and events.
