China Aster 'Ostrich Plume' Mixed Seeds

Callistephus chinensis 'Ostrich Plume' is a Half-Hardy Annual, meaning it's grown from seed each year and will not survive British winter frosts. As an annual, it provides completely fresh, disease-free plants each season—you can experiment with different colour combinations and planting positions year after year!

CRITICAL: Not to be Confused with Perennial Asters! China Asters (Callistephus chinensis) are completely different from the perennial "Michaelmas Daisies" (Aster/Symphyotrichum species) that bloom in autumn borders. China Asters are annual plants native to China and Korea, belonging to the daisy family (Asteraceae). They've been beloved in cottage gardens since Victorian times and represent centuries of careful horticultural selection for the most beautiful flower forms!

The "Ostrich Plume" Flower Form - A Fluffy Marvel: What makes 'Ostrich Plume' so special (and different from other China Aster varieties) is the unique petal structure. Unlike 'Peony Mix' with its neat, tightly incurved petals, or 'Giants of California' with its somewhat shaggy plumes, 'Ostrich Plume' has exceptionally long, narrow petals that curl, twist, and spiral in all directions, creating that distinctive feathery, fluffy "ostrich plume" effect. The overall impression is soft, romantic, and almost ethereal—like clouds of coloured fluff! The flowers are genuinely large (8-10cm across) and so densely packed with petals that the yellow centre completely disappears—you're just looking at layer upon layer of gorgeous, fluffy petals!

The "Mop Head" Descriptor: Florists and growers often refer to this flower form as a "mop head" because the overall shape resembles an old-fashioned string mop—rounded, fluffy, and full of texture! This might not sound glamorous, but in the world of cut flowers it's a highly desirable quality. The fluffy, three-dimensional structure creates visual interest, catches light beautifully, and photographs wonderfully!

The Heirloom Heritage: 'Ostrich Plume' is an heirloom variety, meaning it's been grown and loved for generations (likely dating back to the early-to-mid 1900s). Whilst modern breeding has produced wilt-resistant varieties and specific colour strains, heirloom varieties like 'Ostrich Plume' remain popular because they offer that authentic, old-fashioned cottage garden charm and often have superior flower form. The slightly variable mix of colours (shell-pink, violet, lavender, crimson, white) adds to the charm—you get lovely spontaneous variation rather than rigid uniformity!

The Soft Colour Palette: Unlike some garish, primary-colour mixes, 'Ostrich Plume' offers a refined, romantic palette: Shell-pink (soft ballet pink with a hint of peachy warmth), Deep violet (rich purple-blue), Lavender (pale purple), Crimson (deep burgundy-red), and Pure white (clean snow white). These colours work beautifully together in mixed bouquets or can be planted in separate drifts for monochromatic displays. The overall effect is soft, romantic, and vintage rather than loud or brash!

Height & Form: 'Ostrich Plume' grows 45-60cm tall, making it shorter than 'Giants of California' (60-70cm) but similar in height to 'Duchess Mixed' (70cm) and 'Peony Mix' (60cm). This medium height makes it perfect for mid-border positions, containers, and cutting gardens. The plants are compact and bushy rather than lanky, producing multiple flowering stems from each plant.

Asters need a little warmth to get started, but once established they're remarkably robust and reliable performers!

How to Sow:
Sow indoors from March to April (6-8 weeks before your last expected frost). Fill seed trays or modules with good quality seed compost and water thoroughly. Sow seeds onto the surface and cover with a fine sprinkling of vermiculite (approximately 3mm)—China Asters germinate best with light covering for moisture retention. Place in a propagator or cover with a clear lid to maintain humidity. Maintain a constant temperature of 18-21°C (65-70°F). Keep the compost consistently moist but never waterlogged. Germination typically takes 10-14 days.

Pricking Out & Growing On:
When seedlings develop their first true leaves (the second set of leaves, after the initial seed leaves), carefully prick them out into individual 7-9cm pots. Handle seedlings gently by their leaves (never the delicate stems!) to avoid damage. Grow on in a bright, frost-free location (greenhouse, cold frame, or bright windowsill). Keep plants well-watered and begin feeding with a weak liquid fertiliser once they're established in their pots.

Hardening Off & Planting Out:
China Asters are half-hardy and will be killed by frost. Begin hardening off in late May by moving plants outside during the day and bringing them in at night for 7-10 days. Plant out into final positions only after all risk of frost has passed (typically late May to early June for most of the UK). Choose a position in full sun—essential for best performance! Space plants 25cm apart to allow good air circulation (this helps prevent fungal diseases).

Soil Requirements:
China Asters prefer rich, well-drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Before planting, dig in generous amounts of well-rotted compost or manure to improve soil structure and fertility. CRITICAL: Ensure excellent drainage—China Asters absolutely hate sitting in waterlogged soil, which quickly leads to root rot and wilt diseases. If you have heavy clay, improve drainage by incorporating grit and organic matter, or grow in raised beds.

Watering & Feeding:
Water regularly during the growing season, aiming to keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water at the base of plants (not overhead) to keep foliage dry and reduce fungal disease risk. Feed every 2-3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertiliser once plants are established and beginning to form flower buds.

Support & Staking:
The flower heads on 'Ostrich Plume' are genuinely heavy (all those fluffy petals add weight!), especially after rain. In windy gardens or exposed positions, give them some support using netting or stakes to keep the stems straight for cutting. The best approach: install horizontal netting (10-15cm mesh) when plants are 20-30cm tall. Plants grow up through the netting which provides invisible support.

Deadheading & Cut Flower Harvesting:
For garden display: Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous flowering. For cutting gardens: Cut stems freely—this encourages the plant to produce more stems! Cut when flowers are approximately 3/4 open for longest vase life. Cut in early morning when stems are fully hydrated. Remove all leaves that would sit below the waterline immediately (this keeps water clean and prevents bacterial growth that shortens vase life).

⚠️ Disease Rotation Strategy - ESSENTIAL!
To prevent wilt diseases, do not plant Asters in the exact same spot two years in a row. Give them fresh ground each season—this simple practice dramatically reduces disease incidence. 'Ostrich Plume' has reasonably good natural disease resistance (being an older heirloom variety), but crop rotation remains the best preventative measure. If wilt occurs (plants suddenly collapse despite adequate watering), remove affected plants immediately and dispose of them (don't compost). Choose a different planting site next year.

Because Asters bloom late in the season, pair them with other late-summer and autumn stars for maximum impact! All companion plants listed below are available from Bishy Barnabees!

• 🌼 Rudbeckia 'Marmalade': The Autumn Glow! The golden-yellow daisies with dark centres of Rudbeckia contrast beautifully with the purple, pink, and violet tones of the Asters. Together they create a classic "Harvest Festival" look—warm golds paired with cool purples and pinks for that quintessential late-summer/autumn colour scheme. Both flower simultaneously (July-October), both are compact and similar in height (Rudbeckia at 45cm, Asters at 45-60cm), and both are beloved by pollinators during that critical late-season period. The contrast in flower form is also perfect: Rudbeckia's open-faced, daisy-like blooms provide a simple counterpoint to the complex, fluffy Aster pom-poms. Plant them in alternating drifts or mixed groups for a cottage garden meadow effect. BONUS: Both are RHS Plants for Pollinators and both make excellent cut flowers, so you can harvest armfuls for autumnal bouquets!
• 🌸 Cosmos 'Purity': The Softener! The large, heavy, fluffy heads of the 'Ostrich Plume' Asters look wonderful nestled among the airy, ferny foliage and delicate white blooms of Cosmos. Whilst the Asters provide solid, substantial focal points with their dense pom-pom structure, Cosmos offers light, see-through texture with its feathery foliage and simple, open-faced flowers. The pure white of 'Purity' acts as a visual "rest stop" amongst the colourful Asters, preventing the planting from feeling overwhelming whilst adding a fresh, clean quality. The height match is excellent: Cosmos 'Purity' grows 90-120cm (taller than the Asters at 45-60cm), creating beautiful layering when planted behind or amongst the Asters. Both are cut-and-come-again varieties, so the more you harvest for bouquets, the more flowers they produce! Both are also RHS Plants for Pollinators, creating a vital late-season nectar source for bees and butterflies.
• 🌻 Zinnia 'Giants of California': The Late-Season Duo! For the ultimate cutting garden combination, plant 'Ostrich Plume' Asters alongside Zinnia 'Giants of California'. Both produce enormous, fully double blooms on strong stems, both flower from August-October, and both have exceptional vase life (up to two weeks!). The Zinnias bring warm tones (coral, orange, yellow, red, pink) whilst the Asters contribute cooler shades (violet, lavender, shell-pink, white)—together they provide a complete colour spectrum for stunning mixed bouquets. The flower forms are complementary too: Zinnias have a flatter, more structured dahlia-like form whilst Asters are softer and fluffier. Both require identical growing conditions (full sun, rich soil, regular feeding), making them perfect companions. Plant in alternating rows or blocks for easy harvesting!

Sow indoors in spring. Plant out in June. Flowers August to October.