China aster - Garden Ideas & Outdoor Decor

Light:

Part Sun,
Sun

Type:

Annual

Height:

1 to 3 feet

Width:

1-2 feet wide

Flower Color:

Blue,
Pink,
Red,
White

Seasonal Features:

Fall Bloom,
Spring Bloom

Special Features:

Good for Containers,
Low Maintenance

how to grow China aster

Propagation

Seed

garden plans for China aster

Large Summer Sunny Border

plant China aster with

Coralbells

Exciting new selections with incredible foliage patterns have put coralbells on the map. Previously enjoyed mainly for their spires of dainty reddish flowers, coralbells are now grown as much for the unusual mottling and veining of different-color leaves. The low clumps of long-stemmed evergreen or semi-evergreen lobed foliage make coralbells fine groundcover plants. They enjoy humus-rich, moisture-retaining soil. Beware of heaving in areas with very cold winters.

Marguerite Daisy

For a spectacular show during cool weather, plant marguerite daisy. Often confused with Shasta daisy, marguerite is more mounded and shrubby. Different types also come in pink with a bloom that more resembles purple coneflower.Marguerite daisy’s hallmark is that it loves cool weather — and blooms best in most areas in spring and fall, though it will continue to bloom through the summer in mild-summer areas. Even when it’s not in bloom, the dark green, finely cut foliage looks good against just about any light-color flower.

Fountaingrass

Like so many grasses, fountaingrass is spectacular when backlit by the rising or setting sun. Named for its especially graceful spray of foliage, fountaingrass also sends out beautiful, fuzzy flower plumes in late summer. The white, pink, or red plumes (depending on variety) continue into fall and bring a loose, informal look to plantings. This plant self-seeds freely, sometimes to the point of becoming invasive.

Find more about choosing and growing annuals.

How to Pick Healthy Plants

The Best Annual Flowers of 2014
Trend Spotting with BHG: Flower Combinations
Top Shade Garden Plants