Tower Chamois China Aster produces stunning peony-type blooms on upright bushes, earning its place as a florist favorite and garden showstopper. This open-pollinated cultivar reaches maturity in 110-120 days, giving you plenty of time to plan for late-summer and fall arrangements. The flowers excel both in garden borders and as cut stems, bringing that full, layered charm of peonies without the perennial wait. Space plants 6 inches apart for dense, productive growth.
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Moderate
3-10
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High
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Peony-type blooms with a full, ruffled appearance set Tower Chamois apart from single-flowered asters. The flowers develop their impressive form through heat and reduced daylength as autumn approaches, meaning earlier plantings often produce longer stems and more abundant blooms. Fresh flowers should be cut when outer ray florets just begin to open, then conditioned immediately in water to extend vase life.
Tower Chamois excels as a cut flower for arrangements and also performs beautifully in garden borders. The peony-form blooms are prized by florists and gardeners who want long-stemmed bouquets with the full, romantic character of peony flowers but with easier growing requirements. The variety also works well for dried arrangements when blooms are allowed to fully open on the plant.
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Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep into 72-cell flats or preferred seedling containers 6-8 weeks before your intended planting date. Maintain warm soil temperatures around 70°F (21°C) for good germination. Heat and reduced daylength initiate flowering, so avoid keeping seedlings under long-day conditions indoors; they'll respond naturally once transplanted into shortening autumn days.
Transplant seedlings outdoors after your last spring frost when soil temperature has stabilized. Space plants 6 inches apart. Establish plantings early in the season to allow maximum time for stem development before flowering is triggered by decreasing daylength and cooler temperatures.
Direct sow seeds outdoors once soil temperature reaches 65-70°F (18-21°C). Plant seeds 1/8 inch deep. Thin seedlings to 6 inches apart once they've developed their first true leaves.
Cut flowers when the outside ray florets begin to open, then place them immediately in water to condition. For dried arrangements, allow blooms to fully open on the plant before harvesting.
Pinching is not required for Tower Chamois. The upright bush habit naturally produces full plants without additional pruning, though you can remove lower leaves as the plant develops to improve air circulation and reduce disease pressure.
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