Callistephus chinensis Queen of the Market Mix - seeds

The 'Queen of the Market' Daisy is a mix of early varieties of Chinese asters with double flowers in various colours. Their flowers, which appear from early summer, come in a rich palette of pastel or deeper shades, including white, pale yellow, different shades of pink and red, and mauve, depending on the plants. With excellent durability and carried by long stems, they are charming in flower beds and bouquets. Callistephus chinensis can be sown under cover or directly in open ground, in a sunny position, in fertile and well-drained soil. They are easy to grow, even for beginner gardeners.

Callistephus chinensis, also known as Chinese Aster, is a Chinese annual plant of the Asteraceae family with a very ancient cultivation that has produced and continues to produce many interesting varieties for flower beds and cut flowers. The plants in the 'Queen of the Market' mix reach a height of 60 cm and are well-branched. Their stems bear oval and serrated bright green leaves. The flowering is renewed for at least two months, from June to September, approximately 85 days after sowing. It takes the form of inflorescences in heads, which we call flowers. Each one, about 6 to 7 cm wide, is composed of multiple rows of ligulate or ribbon-like petals surrounding a small centre of golden yellow, fertile florets, visible when the flower fades. The plant lives only one season to bloom and produce seeds. The seeds can be collected to be sown again in the following spring.

The 'Queen of the Market' Daisy is a must-have for cottage gardens and an excellent cut flower. Its rustic and romantic style will appeal to many gardeners. Although a bit out of fashion, Chinese asters are still appreciated for their floribundity and ease of cultivation. Their flowers last a long time in a vase, and the plants bloom for a long time if you remove faded flowers. Even just for cutting, sow them in the vegetable garden to get a profusion of flowers in late summer. Among the wide range of varieties, you will find flowers of various shapes, resembling chrysanthemums, with fine, very slender petals, sometimes even ruffled, in pompons or simple like those of the species. They come in many shades, ranging from white to yellow, through all shades of pink and purple. The dwarf cultivars will be perfect for edging and will thrive in balcony planters, while the tall varieties with single or double flowers will animate the back of flower beds. To accompany them in the garden, consider autumn asters, dahlias, and ornamental grasses, for example.