Callistephus chinensis King Size Red - Aster de Chine King Size Red

The China Aster 'King Size Red' (Callistephus chinensis) is a very beautiful variety of China aster that captivates with its large, bright red double flowers and long, sturdy stems. Vigorous and floriferous, this annual plant brings fantastic colour to flowerbeds and creates rich cut flower arrangements. Easy to grow in fertile soil and full sun, it flowers from summer until autumn.

The China Aster King Size Red belongs to the Asteraceae family. The wild species, Callistephus chinensis, is also known by the botanical name Aster chinensis. Native to China, this flower is found wild in meadows, forest borders, and open areas of the northern and eastern provinces. Its natural range extends to the temperate regions of East Asia. The King Size series is the result of a Dutch horticultural programme focused on producing high-quality cut flowers. These cultivars were developed to offer large flowers, prolonged flowering, increased disease resistance, and varied colours.​
The 'King Size Red' is a selected cultivar for its large, bright red double flowers measuring up to 8 cm in diameter, borne on robust stems reaching 90 cm to 1 m in height. The plant has an upright habit and dense branching. The flowers appear from August to October, more or less early depending on the sowing date. The flower heads are formed of slightly recurved, intense red petals or ligules, revealing a small yellow central disc. Pollination is carried out by bees and other pollinating insects. The foliage consists of ovate, medium green leaves with serrated edges measuring about 5 to 10 cm long. The stems are erect, sturdy, green sometimes tinged with red. 
The Callistephus chinensis 'King Size Red' follows an annual cycle: the plant germinates in spring, flowers in summer, and dies in autumn after producing its seeds.​

The popularity of the China Aster as a cut flower dates back several centuries in China where it was cultivated to adorn imperial gardens and used in traditional floral arrangements.

The China Aster 'King Size Red' captivates with the abundance of its flowering and its excellent performance both in beds and in vases. Sow China asters; they have few rivals for their generous flowering and timeless charm. These plants form superb colourful clumps in summer beds and flower relentlessly if care is taken to remove spent flowers. The tall varieties of the 'King Size' series blend ideally with one other. Pair 'King Size Red' with the China Aster 'Matsumoto', with Zinnia elegans 'Purple Prince' or with Mealy Cup Sage 'Victoria Blue' for spectacular contrasts. And to enjoy dazzling cut flowers until autumn, remember to sow a few rows in the vegetable garden!