Callistephus chinensis Unicum

The mixt of Callistephus chinensis Unicum brings together several varieties of Chinese Aster that bear flowers as beautiful as they are unique, resembling pompoms with multiple thin petals rolled into needles. They display a range of delightful colours, including white, various shades of pink, red, purple, and mauve depending on the plants. Carried by strong stems, with excellent longevity, they are magnificent in flower beds and perfect in bouquets. Chinese asters can be sown under glass or directly in open ground, in a sunny position, in fertile and well-drained soil. They are easy to cultivate, even for beginner gardeners.

The Chinese Aster, is a Chinese annual plant of the Asteraceae family with a very ancient cultivation that has produced and still produces many very interesting varieties for flower beds and cut flowers. The plants in the Unicum mixture reach a height of 60 cm (24in) in a few months and are well-branched. Their stems bear oval, toothed, bright green leaves. The flowering period lasts for at least two months, from July to September depending on the sowing date.  Each flower, 6 to 8 cm (2 to 3in) wide, is composed of multiple rows of ligulate or rolled and pointed petals surrounding a small centre of fertile florets of golden yellow colour, visible when the flower fades. The plant only lives for one season, with time to bloom and produce seeds.

Callistephus is a flagship plant for flower beds and an excellent cut flower. It has both a rustic and contemporary style that will appeal to many gardeners. Although somewhat out of fashion, Chinese asters remain popular plants for their abundant flowers and ease of cultivation. Their flowers are perfect in wildflower bouquets, and the plants bloom for months if you take care to remove the faded flowers. Even if only 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, you will find flowers of various shapes resembling chrysanthemums, with very fine, sometimes even tousled, finely tapered petals, in pompoms, or simple like those of the species. They come in many shades, ranging from white to yellow, and all shades of pink and purple. Dwarf cultivars will be perfect for borders and will thrive in balcony planters, while tall varieties with single or double flowers will decorate the back of flower beds.