Asters - Garden Basics - Flower - Annual
(Callistephus chinensis)
Though
not the easiest to grow, asters are among the most beloved of
flowers. The large blooms can take a variety of forms, and daisy-
and chrysanthemum-like forms are common. You'll also find a wide
variety of colors including white, creamy yellow, pink, red, blue,
lavender or purple, often with yellow centers. Varieties range
in height from 6 inches up.
They do well in beds and borders, and are a favorite as cut flowers. Since they are prone to disease, avoid planting in the same location year after year. In dry weather, water by soaking the soil; don't sprinkle the plant. Keep faded flowers and yellowing foliage pinched off to encourage new blooms. These fragrant flowers will bloom from early summer to late summer and are resistant to deer. Disease free plants may be dug and added to the compost pile at the end of the season.
Tahoka daisies
(Aster
tanacetifolius)
Though not as common as the China aster, the tahoka daisy is easier to grow, and blooms from mid-summer to frost with virtually no attention. The two-inch flowers are pale blue with yellow-orange centers. The plant has wispy, thread-like foliage and grows to one to two feet tall, and thrives in full sun or light shade. It easily withstands the heat and humidity of the southeast.
- Type
annual and perennial forms are available -
Propagation
seeds -
Light
full sun -
Flower Color
various -
Bloom Time
early summer until frost -
Height
6-10 inches -
Width
6-18 inches -
Soil Requirements
acid or neutral pH, well drained, moist soil, rich -
Zones
all -
Uses
bed, border, cutflowers, dried
