The double-flowered Sidonia aster is an annual plant with a regal appearance. It constitutes a great garden decoration at the end of summer and the beginning of autumn. Its large flowers form a colourful island on the background of slowly wilting plants. This alone should convince you to find some place for them in the garden. The colourful flowers of the Chinese asters allow you to keep the summer vibes for a longer time.

The blue Sidonia aster dazzles with the double, dense flowers. They are large, spherical and look almost like the Princess varieties. The rich, extremely ornamental flower heads sit atop the erect stems. The plants of this cultivar grow up to 80 cm and develop a semi-spreading appearance. The bright green foliage does not have a special ornamental value, but still underscores the colours of the flowers. The Sidonia asters are recommended for perennial borders and seasonal garden groupings. They look great planted alongside fences, walls and around the wooden gazebos. They constitute excellent cut flowers as they remain fresh in vases for a long time. A colourful, charming aster bouquet will keep the memories of summer at your home and add an idyllic touch to the interior arrangement.

Aster seeds should be grown from direct sow onto the field mid May or from seedlings. The production of seedlings starts in March or April. For that purpose, the seeds should be sown into containers in mildly heated greenhouses. The seedlings need to be pricked out first and then hardened. Cultures grown from seedlings are usually sturdier and develop stronger root systems. The flowering takes place from July to September, depending on the time of the sow.

Asters should be grown on sunny and warm sites. They require a nutrient rich, constantly moist soil, as this species does not tolerate drought. Removing the wilted flowers stimulates plants to develop new flower buds.

One package contains 1 gram of the blue double-flowered Sidonia aster seeds.  The basic cultivation instructions and the sow-by date were printed on the back of the package.

• Height: 80 cm
• Use: ornamental - borders, garden groupings, cut flower
• Blooming time: July - September
• Growth form: erect, semi-spreading
• Flower colour: blue
• Vegetation form: annual
• Flower type: double
• Site: sunny, warm; nutrient rich, constantly moist soil
• Weight (in grams): 1 g