In my view, this is a very underrated annual for the cut flower garden. It is easy to grow from seed, is self branching and comes in shades of white, cream, blue, pink and purple. I grew several varieties this year from the dozens available and was not disappointed with any of them. The main attraction is their similarity to chrysanthemums but on smaller stockier plants that don’t need staking. They last up to a week in a vase with a water change every two days and fade slowly without dropping petals  everywhere. I love ’em!

Callistephus chinensis, the China Aster