Fothergill's Aster Ostrich Feather Seeds

Details:

• Botanical Name: Callistephus chinensis, a traditional garden favourite known for its reliability and heritage.
• Distinctive Blooms: Features large, double flowers with unique recurving petals that create a ruffled, "ostrich feather" texture.
• Colour Palette: Produces a sophisticated mix of rich "boudoir" shades, including deep crimson, violet, and soft rose pink.
• Growth Habit: Reaches a height of 60cm (24in) with a medium, bushy habit, making it an excellent choice for structured garden borders.
• Cut Flower Quality: Highly versatile for the home; these graceful stems were a staple in Victorian floral arrangements for their longevity and form.
• Plant Class: Half-hardy annual, providing a vibrant and rewarding display within a single growing season.
• Ideal Position: Well-suited to areas of partial shade, offering flexibility for various garden aspects.

Care Instructions:

• Sowing: Start seeds indoors in trays of moist compost between February and May, or sow directly outdoors in May and June once the soil has warmed.
• Germination: Maintain a steady temperature of 15-20°C; seedlings typically appear within 14 to 21 days.
• Transplanting: Move young plants to their final flowering position after the last risk of frost has passed, spacing them approximately 30cm apart.
• General Care: Water regularly during dry spells and deadhead spent blooms to encourage a continuous flush of flowers throughout the summer.