China Aster (Callistephus Chinensis Sea Star) - Start Aster seeds and grow many of these showy annuals for the flower beds or garden! China Asters are good as cut flowers in bouquets, beds, borders or pots because of their longevity. Visitors will do a double take when they pass these lovely and unusual Callistephus Chinensis, or China Asters, in the garden or the vase. Big 3 1/2 to 4-inch blooms are full of brightly-colored, needle-shaped petals that are arranged in swirls atop tall, sturdy stems. These blooms are dense, deeply colored, and long-lasting. Best of all, they appear profusely on very vigorous, uniform plants.

This Sea Star mix contains 5 complementary colors: white, pink, deep rose, and purple. These large-flowered China Asters make a spectacular bouquet all by themselves, and their unusual form combines well with other flowers in the bed, border, or vase.

Callistephus Chinensis is also known as Crego Aster and is quite wilt-tolerant and undemanding, asking only for a sunny spot in the garden. Crego Aster seeds can be direct-sown outside after the last frost or, for even earlier blooms, begin flower seed indoors. Sow China Aster flower seed indoors in early spring using starter mix. Press flower seed into soil and barely cover. Transplant into the garden 20 inches apart.