FlowerAster
Crego Giant Mixture Aster
Crego Giant Mixture Aster is a robust annual flower that brings the charm of a classic florist's darling into home gardens. These open-pollinated asters grow 18 to 36 inches tall and produce abundant 3 to 4 inch blooms in a playful seasonal blend of colors, reaching maturity in 100 to 109 days. Hardy across zones 4 through 8 and demanding only full sun, this variety delivers the branching, long-stemmed flowers that make asters beloved by flower arrangers, all while thriving alongside sunflowers and wildflowers in mixed plantings.
Photo © True Leaf Market
Growing Conditions
USDA Zone
4-8
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Soil
Well-drained, Fertile Loam
Growth Stats
36 in
Height
TypeUpright
Spacing
8
Plant Profile
Sunlight
Full Sun
Water
Moderate
Zones
4-8
Size
36in H x ?in W
Growth
—
Care
Moderate
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Highlights
The real draw here is the flower power: well-branched plants loaded with substantial 3 to 4 inch blooms that last from late summer well into fall. Crego Giants reach up to 36 inches, making them tall enough to command attention at the back of a border or fill a vase with impressive, long-lasting stems. The seasonal color mix means you'll get a natural tapestry of hues without planting multiple packets, and these flowers are tough enough to handle the transition from summer heat into cooler autumn weather without losing their vigor.
Common Uses
Crego Giant Mixture Aster excels as a cut flower, with strong, well-branched stems that hold their form in arrangements and vases. The prolific blooming habit and extended fall flowering season make these reliable choices for fresh bouquets, borders, and mixed garden displays. Their habit of growing taller and fuller than many aster varieties positions them as a landscape focal point or backdrop planting.
Growing Timeline
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Care Instructions
Start Indoors
Start seeds indoors 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost. Press seeds lightly onto moist soil surface or cover very lightly, as they need light to germinate. Maintain soil temperature around 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit for best germination rates.
Transplant Outdoors
Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed and plants have developed several true leaves. Harden off seedlings gradually over 7 to 10 days by exposing them to increasing amounts of outdoor light and wind. Space transplants 8 inches apart in rows 24 inches apart.
Direct Sow
Direct sow seeds outdoors after the last spring frost into prepared soil. Press seeds lightly into soil or scatter on the surface where they will receive light. Keep soil moist until seedlings are established.
Harvesting
Cut flowers when blooms are fully open but still fresh, preferably in early morning when stems are hydrated. Harvest by cutting stems at a 45 degree angle with a sharp knife, taking stems at least 12 inches long to maximize the well-branched architecture these plants provide. Recut stems and place immediately in water to maximize vase life.
Pruning
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continued branching and extend the blooming season. Remove any yellowing or damaged foliage to maintain plant vigor and appearance.
Growing Calendar
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Companion Planting
Pests & Diseases
Ecology & Traits
Scientific Classification
Callistephus chinensis
Family
Asteraceae
Genus
Callistephus
Growth Habit
Upright
Native Status
L48 (I)