Callistephus chinensis, commonly known as the China aster and annual aster, is a popular annual plant that produces conspicuous, 3 to 5 inches diameter flowers from early summer through fall on plants with oval, serrated, medium green foliage.
However, species plants are rarely grown due to the wide superior varieties that have emerged over the years. The plant’s height ranges from 8-inch to 36-inch tall. Varieties vary in appearance, from simple Daisy-shaped inflorescences with yellow centers to double inflorescences with a furry, pom-pom-like shape.
The colors of the cultivars include shades ranging from white to pink, yellow, purple, red, and blue. Callistephus is a monotypic genus of plants in the Asteraceae family, containing just one species[1] – Callistephus chinensis.
It originates from Korea and China and is grown worldwide as a cut flower and as an ornamental in cottage gardens.
