Glass from Sweden, Wedgwood from England, perfume from Paris, and plants from Tibet somehow have more glamor than similar objects from our land. Nevertheless, just as we’ve recognized in recent years that American designers and craftsmen can fashion the finest wares, we have become increasingly conscious of the grace and beauty that plants from our … Read more
Annual asters rank among the half-dozen most popular garden annuals in America. Called China asters (Callistephus chinensis) to distinguish them from native hardy types, they have been standbys in American gardens for 50 years. They have surely kept pace with the times and are available in many new forms to fit the needs of mid-century … Read more
Few perennials are easy to grow and propagate or more varied in their colors and heights than the many kinds of hardy asters. Available in a wide color range, from white to many tints and shades of pink, rose, red, purple, violet, blue, and lavender, they range from six inches to six feet. In diameter, … Read more
Those who grow Michaelmas daisies look forward to their flowers with great anticipation. Though their sheer gaiety is always appealing, many gardeners have not accepted them as the prime perennial for color and interest in the garden before the hardy chrysanthemums break into bloom. Judging from experiences at the Royal Botanical Gardens, Hamilton, Canada, where … Read more
Callistephus chinensis [kal-LISS-steff-us, chi-NEN-sis] is a species of annuals with bright showy flowers. Typically grown from seed, these plants may reach up to 2’ feet, producing thin stems topped with masses of flowers toward the end of summer. The plant is native to China and commonly called China aster or annual aster as it belongs … Read more