Aster Peony Mix

Aster (Callistephus chinensis) 'Peony Mix' China Aster 'Peony Mix'

Fully double, incurved peony-form blooms in a sophisticated cool palette — deep violet, vibrant pink, soft lavender and pure white — packed with petals around densely-rounded 8–10cm heads on sturdy 60cm stems, arriving in August with the confidence of a flower that knows it is the finest thing left in the late-summer garden.

The peony-flowered China aster brings the look and substance of an expensive cut-flower chrysanthemum to anyone willing to grow from seed. The Peony Mix produces densely double blooms with incurved petals that mound up into perfect rounded heads, in a deliberately cool, sophisticated palette dominated by the violet-purple end of the spectrum with pink and white accents. This is a different look from the riot-of-colour Duchess series — quieter, more elegant, equally vivid where it counts. Bred for cutting, with strong stems, uniform habit and exceptional vase life. RHS Plants for Pollinators recognised. Half-hardy annual flowering August through October.

A note on growing

Sow indoors from March to April. Surface-sow onto moist compost and cover with a fine 3mm sprinkling of vermiculite. Keep at 18–21°C; germination takes 10–14 days. Plant out after the last frost in late May or June, in full sun and rich, moisture-retentive soil. Dig in compost or aged manure before planting. Space 30cm apart. Like all asters, rotate annually — wilt diseases build up in soil where asters are grown repeatedly. In windy gardens, support heavy heads with netting.

Where it shines

In the cutting garden, where the cool sophisticated palette suits late-summer wedding flowers and elegant autumn bouquets. The incurved heads have proper substance and presence in arrangements — they won't fade into the background. In the border, plant in monochromatic drifts to amplify the cool palette: a generous group of all-violet 'Peony Mix' next to silver foliage is genuinely beautiful. Vase life of up to two weeks.

Plant alongside

For a cool sophisticated cutting scheme, combine with Ammi majus, Bells of Ireland (for the architectural lime spires), and the airy quaking-grass form of Briza Maxima. For autumn romance, plant alongside the soft apricot tones of Calendula 'Art Shades Mixed' and the smoky purple foliage of Bronze Fennel.