Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd
Aster Duchess Mixed
Aster Duchess Mixed
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Aster 'Duchess Mixed' Seeds
If you love the look of expensive Peonies but wish they bloomed in September instead of June, the 'Duchess' Aster is your dream plant. This heirloom variety produces large, double blooms with "incurved" petals that curl tightly inwards, creating a luxurious, ball-shaped flower head.
Often mistaken for florist Chrysanthemums, they stand tall on strong, 60cm stems, making them superior cut flowers. This mix offers a regal palette of soft apricot-pink, deep violet, buttery yellow, and pure white. They bridge the gap between summer bedding and autumn dahlias, keeping the garden looking expensive right up until the first frost.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
The China Aster (*Callistephus chinensis*) is a Half-Hardy Annual.
The 'Duchess' series is defined by its petal structure. Unlike the shaggy 'Ostrich Plume', these petals curve upwards and inwards, hiding the centre of the flower. This protects the pollen, meaning the flowers last longer in the rain and in the vase.
The "Grandma's Favourite": These are traditional cottage garden plants that have seen a huge resurgence recently thanks to the "slow flower" movement and sustainable floristry.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
Asters need a little warmth to germinate but bloom best in the cooler days of autumn.
Germination:
Sow indoors from March to April. Sow onto the surface of 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. They hate sitting in wet clay.
Care While Growing:
Rotation is Key: To prevent Fusarium wilt (a soil disease), never plant Asters in the exact same spot two years in a row. Move them around the garden.
Support: The heavy, peony-like heads catch the rain. Stake them or grow them through netting to keep them upright.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Callistephus chinensis |
| Common Name | China Aster 'Duchess Mixed' |
| Hardiness | H2 (Half-Hardy - Needs Frost Protection) |
| Light Required | Full Sun ☀️ |
| Height | ↕️ 60cm - 70cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 30cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 25cm apart |
| Great for | ✂️ Cut Flowers 🍂 Late Summer Colour 🦋 Pollinators 💐 Wedding Bouquets |
| Seed Count | Approx. 100 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
The rounded, formal shape of 'Duchess' Asters contrasts well with looser, wilder plants:
- 🌸 Cosmos 'Sensation': The Relaxed Partner. The simple, open daisies of Cosmos provide a relaxed backdrop to the formal, complex heads of the 'Duchess' Aster.
- 🌿 Bupleurum (Hare's Ear): The Zesty Filler. The acid-green foliage of Bupleurum makes the pastel pinks and violets of the Asters pop. It adds a modern florist touch to the border.
📅 Sowing & Flowering Calendar
Sow indoors in spring. Plant out in June. Flowers August to October.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | ||||||||||
| Plant Out | 🌱 | 🌱 | ||||||||||
| Flowers | 🌸 | 🌸 | 🌸 |
⚠️ Cut Flower Tip
The stems are hollow and hairy. To extend vase life to 10+ days, strip all lower leaves and change the water every 2 days to stop bacteria building up.
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
Asters are a key late-season nectar source. They bloom when many other flowers are finishing, providing a vital food stop for butterflies preparing for hibernation.
