Callistephus chinensis 'Princess Blue' – Elegant and Large Cut Aster

Callistephus chinensis 'Princess Blue' is a stunning aster that stands out for its large, densely filled flowers and bright colors. This variety combines ornamental value, robustness, and excellent cut flower quality, making it ideal for both gardens and flower arrangements. Thanks to its strong stems and compact flower shape, Princess Blue remains beautiful even after cutting, making it a favorite choice for both amateur gardeners and professional florists.

Key Features of Princess Blue

• Large, densely filled flowers: The flowers are generous and full, with a striking bright yellow center that contrasts beautifully with the blue petals.

• Strong stems: The sturdy stems make this aster ideal as a cut flower for bouquets and flower arrangements.

• Tolerant of difficult growing conditions: Princess Blue is highly adaptable to varying conditions, making this aster easy to grow, even in less than ideal garden soil or changeable weather.

• Bright and vibrant colors: The combination of bright blue and a yellow center creates a striking visual effect in borders, pots, or as a cut flower.

• Long-lasting flowering: Blooms from mid-summer to early autumn and retains its colour and shape throughout the flowering period.

Cultivation advice for optimal results

Asters are susceptible to Fusarium wilt, a fungal disease that can attack roots and stems. By following good growing practices, you can ensure a healthy and decorative harvest:

• Site rotation: Change the location annually to prevent Fusarium buildup in the soil. Disinfect the soil if necessary.

• Water management: Avoid overwatering and poorly drained soil. Well-drained soil promotes strong, healthy root growth.

• Sowing: Sow indoors from March to the end of April at a temperature of around 20°C. Direct sowing outdoors is possible from the end of April.

• Care: Sowing thinly and thinning promotes even development. Regular watering and removing faded flowers encourages further flowering and prolongs the ornamental value.

Use in garden and as cut flower

• Borders and pots: Princess Blue is an excellent choice for adding color and texture to borders and planters. The striking flowers combine well with other summer bloomers and create a vibrant look.

• Cut flowers: The strong stems and large, full blooms make this aster perfect for bouquets, vase arrangements, and flower arrangements. The flowers retain their beauty long after cutting.

• Companion Planting: Princess Blue can be combined with other asters or summer bloomers to create a colorful, layered effect in both garden and cut flower production.

Benefits of Callistephus chinensis 'Princess Blue'

• Large, densely filled flowers with a bright yellow center.

• Strong stems for long-lasting cut flowers.

• Tolerant to varying growing conditions.

• Ideal for borders, pots and cut flowers.

• Long lasting flowering from midsummer to early autumn.

• Suitable for both amateur gardeners and professional florists.

Conclusion

Callistephus chinensis 'Princess Blue' is a robust, graceful aster with excellent cut flower quality. The large, densely filled flowers with bright yellow centers, strong stems, and adaptability make this variety perfect for a variety of uses, from colorful borders to beautiful bouquets. Add Princess Blue to your garden or cut flower collection and enjoy long-lasting blooms, vibrant colors, and an elegant appearance from midsummer to autumn.