An easy and impressive annual that will help extend the season of colour well into autumn with its large chrysanthemum-like blooms. Make sure you plant more than you need, as they also look wonderful when cut for the vase.
How to care for Aster Duchess Mixed:
Plant out in a sunny spot and provide support if necessary. Deadheading regulary or picking them for the vase, will prolong the flowering period by encouraging even more flowers to form.
Sowing instructions:
Sow seed shallowly in seed trays filled with good quality compost and maintain temperatures between 15-20°C. Keep well watered (but not waterlogged) and when the seedlings are large enough to handle, gently transfer them to small pots to grow on. Gradually harden off and plant out at 30cm intervals in the border after all risk of frost has passed. Alternatively, sow directly into a well prepared seed bed in April or May.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
0.6m
Eventual spread:
0.3m
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist, well-drained soil