The rules for posting are simple!

1. Every Friday post a photo that includes one or more flowers.
2. Please only post photos you have authority to use.
3. Include a link to this blog in your post - http://floralfridayfoto.blogspot.com/
4. Leave the link to your FloralFridayFoto post below on inlinkz.
5. Visit other blogs listed ... comment & enjoy!

When to Post:
inlinkz will be available every Thursday and will remain open until the next Wednesday.

Thursday 25 February 2016

FFF223 - CHINESE ASTER

There is only one member of the Callistephus genus, the China Aster (Callistephus chinensis). As the name suggests the plant is a native of China. Plants carry long, toothed ovate leaves of about two to three inches in length (5 to 8 cm) and usually have double, chrysanthemum-like flowers, though some varieties may have only simple ray florets. In many cases the central disc florets are yellow in colour. Outer petals are of many colours; purple, red and pink are very common. The original native species carries single white flowers.

As it is a popular garden plant there are many different varieties available, meaning that the species is available with many different petal colours and sizes; dwarf varieties may be as little as 20 cm; taller varieties may reach 80 cm. Some of the commonly grown varieties of Callistephus chinensis include Lilliput blue moon, Pink tower, Ostrich plume, Blue ribbon, Hulk, Red ribbon and Seastar. As a member of Asteraceae (the daisy family) Callistephus is closely related to species such as Chrysanthemum, Calendula, Tagetes, and Dahlia.

In the garden these plants look great as part of a border; they are also used often as a cut flower in arrangements. These are not the easiest of plants to care for and do best in a sunny spot with some partial shade. China asters don't have a long bloom season, but they bloom at the end of the summer just when most other flowers are fading, and they make nice cut flowers, although they do not rebloom after cutting.  Wilt diseases and aster yellows virus can be common. Seek resistant types and rotate planting location. Aphids, mealybugs, rust, and gray mould may also be problematic. Or you can just buy bunches at your florist shop!


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20 comments:

  1. So beautiful colorful flowers!

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  2. they look life fuzzy little buttons

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  3. Very pretty assortie of colors!

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  4. Your Callistephus is beautiful...looks like a straw flower. Thanks for hosting!

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  5. Referring to your comment on my blog - yes, no thorns with Camellia - your mother must have some painful experiences with those prickly things! Has been a long time ago I saw these bright asters (in Holland).

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  6. A plethora of color. Thanks for sharing.

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  7. Lovley aster, i like this pfoto, so colorful !
    Greetings from Germany

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  8. These one look like so pretty, from another time! The colours are beautiful.

    Have a nice day & weekend ... Frauke

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  9. Gorgeous Chinese Asters!
    Have a nice Weekend

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  10. Hello,

    ich mache gerne bei Deinem Floralen Friday mit :)
    Danke schön Tanja aus dem Hutzelhaus

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  11. Fantastic colours, we get this blooms in autumn...

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  12. Dear Nick,
    what a lovely colours....
    I like it...
    Greetings Jen

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  13. What a brightly beautiful way to welcome the weekend! Thanks for hosting. :D

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  14. Stunning array of colours!
    Wishing you a happy weekend....

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  15. I do love these beautiful flowers !!
    Happy weekend !

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  16. Lovely combination of color in these pretty flowers.

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