Annuals Dictionary: Callistephus
Daisy family
Compositae
Kal-lis’tee-fuss. A single, very variable Asiatic herb, known as the China, or Garden, Aster. Not closely related to the true genus Aster. Good for cutting.
Description
Leaves broadly oval, deeply and irregularly toothed. Flowerheads solitary, at the ends of relatively long stalks.
How to Grow
Sow seeds directly in garden after danger of frost is past. For earlier flowers, start seeds indoors, and move to garden when the nights are warm. To avoid damage from aster yellow disease, adjust planting dates: Start seeds early indoors and transplant good-sized plants at the frost-free date. Or direct-seed asters in late summer under a screen cover to keep out leafhoppers and aphids. Thin to 12 in. (30 cm) apart. Remove the screen in early fall and spray weekly to protect asters until cool weather reduces the insect problem. The species below prefers warm weather.
Callistephus chinensis
China Aster . 9-24 in. (22.5-60.0 cm) high. Ray flowers to 5 in. (12.5 cm) wide, showy, single or double blossoms, of nearly every color, but predominately blue or violet. China. Among the many cultivars, ‘Early Charm Choice’ blooms very early. Dwarf varieties make good edging plants. Susceptible to wilt; should never be planted in same place twice. Tender annual.