Callistephus chinensis Surpresso

The mix of Callistephus chinensis Surpresso brings together several varieties of medium-sized China Aster, producing single flowers of varied colours that last a long time in the garden and as cut flowers. Their mid-early flowering offers an abundance of large golden yellow-headed capitula borne on straight and sturdy stems. The flowers are of a good size and come in superb colours, ranging from pinks, reds, purples, and whites. These annual plants are easy to grow. They can be sown under glass or directly in open ground, in a sunny position, in fertile and well-drained soil.

Chinese Aster, also known as Callistephus chinensis, is a Chinese annual plant of the Asteraceae family with a very ancient cultivation history that has produced and still produces many interesting varieties for borders and cut flowers. The plants in the Surpresso mixture reach a height of 70 cm (28in) in a few months and are well-branched. Their stems bear oval, serrated leaves of bright green. Flowering occurs from June to September, depending on the sowing date, in 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) diameter heads made up of a row of ligulate or coloured petals surrounding a centre of gplden yellow fertile florets. The plant lives only one season, flowering and producing seeds.

Callistephus Surpresso is a standout plant for borders. Its flowers create unforgettable compositions. Although a bit out of fashion, China asters remain highly decorative plants, planted in large clumps in borders. Their flowers are perfect for wildflower bouquets, and the plants bloom for months if care is taken to remove old flowers. Even just for bouquets, sow them in the vegetable garden to obtain a profusion of flowers at the end of summer. Among the wide range of varieties, there are flowers of various shapes resembling chrysanthemums, with fine and tapered petals, sometimes even tousled, in pompons, or simple like those of the species. They come in many shades, ranging from white to yellow, and 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 enliven the back of borders.