Aster Blackberry Surprise

Eye-catching two-and-a-half to three inch double and semi-double dark purple blooms; can’t fail to draw attention. Perfect as a cut flower and fabulous in the border too.  2’6”-3’.  HHA.

Picture courtesy of Jordnara.

How to Grow Aster from Seed

Asters are a traditional and popular cut flower, blooming from mid to late summer through into autumn. Some Asters are naturally compact, others are taller and benefit from staking.

Aster seeds can be sown from early February through to March for potting on from April to June.

Sow Aster seeds onto the surface of a moist, free-draining, seed compost, ideally into plug trays to prevent root disturbance later. Cover the seed with a thin layer of vermiculite, and cover the trays with polythene to retain moisture until the first seedlings apper. Germination normally takes 7 to 10 days at 18-21oC.

After about 5 weeks the young plants will be ready for transplanting into individual 3 inch pots where they can grow on until they are nicely established.

Plant out after hardening off once all danger of frost has passed.