Callistephus chinensis 'Bonita Rose' – Elegant Double Pompon Asters

Callistephus chinensis 'Bonita Rose' is a stunning aster that immediately stands out with its fully double, pompom-like flowers in a soft, romantic shade of pink. This variety combines ornamental value with practical cultivation advantages, making it ideal for both gardeners and professional florists seeking reliable and decorative plants for gardens, borders, and cut flower production.

Key Features of Bonita Rose

• Fully double pompom flowers: Bonita Rose produces densely filled, rounded blooms that create a luxurious and opulent appearance. Even with age, the flowers retain their shape and color, making them long-lasting and decorative.

• Optimal flower angle: The flowers are positioned at a perfect angle, which creates maximum visual impact – ideal for bouquets, flower arrangements and borders.

• Large flower size: The flowers are similar in size to the Matsumoto aster, allowing for harmonious integration into existing aster breeding programs.

• Growing time: Bonita Rose has a growing time about a week longer than Matsumoto, allowing for flexible flowering scheduling and a longer season of color.

• Fusarium Tolerance: Like Matsumoto, Bonita Rose has a similar tolerance to Fusarium wilt, which is essential for healthy cultivation and long-term production.

Cultivation and care advice

Asters are susceptible to Fusarium, a fungus that attacks roots and stems. The following guidelines are important for successful Bonita Rose cultivation:

• Annual location change: Change the location annually to prevent the accumulation of Fusarium in the soil.

• Soil and drainage: Ensure well-draining soil and avoid overwatering. Poorly draining, waterlogged soil increases the risk of root diseases.

• Sowing and planting: Pre-sowing is recommended, followed by transplanting young plants into the garden or greenhouse. For continuous flowering, sowing can be done in stages.

• Maintenance: Regular watering without flooding and removing wilted flowers promotes healthy growth and continued flowering.

Use in garden and as cut flower

• Borders and pots: Bonita Rose makes a striking addition to borders, pots, and mixed flowerbeds. Its soft, rosette-shaped pink flowers contrast beautifully with other autumn or summer bloomers.

• Cut flowers: The sturdy stems and compact, round flowers make Bonita Rose ideal for bouquets and flower arrangements. The flowers retain their color and shape after cutting, giving them long-lasting decorative value.

• Companion Planting: Bonita Rose can easily be combined with Matsumoto and other Bonita varieties in breeding programs, ensuring consistent and attractive flower production.

Benefits of Callistephus chinensis 'Bonita Rose'

• Fully double, pompom-like flowers in a soft pink shade.

• Flowers remain attractive as they age.

• Perfect flower corner for maximum visual impact.

• Cultivation time slightly longer than Matsumoto for staggered flowering.

• Similar Fusarium tolerance as Matsumoto for healthy plants.

• Ideal for gardens, borders and cut flowers.

Conclusion

Callistephus chinensis 'Bonita Rose' is the perfect aster for those looking for a combination of ornamental value, cut flower quality, and ease of cultivation. Its fully double, pompom-like pink flowers, along with sturdy stems and long-lasting vase life, make Bonita Rose an excellent choice for gardeners, growers, and florists. Add Bonita Rose to your garden, border, or bouquets and enjoy a long-lasting and romantic display of flowers.