Callistephus chinensis Big Boy Mix (China aster Big Boy Mix)

Botanical name

Callistephus chinensis Big Boy Mix

Other names

Aster 'Big Boy', China aster Big Boy Mix, Chinese aster Big Boy Mix, Michaelmas daisy Big Boy Mix

Genus

Callistephus Callistephus

Variety or Cultivar

Big Boy Mix _ Big Boy Mix is a commercial seed mix of upright, bushy, half-hardy annuals, usually grown as bedding plants, with ovate, toothed, dark green leaves and, from midsummer into autumn, double flowers with incurved petals in shades of pink, red, orange, purple, and white.

Native to

Garden origin

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Upright

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Colour

Flower

Apricot, White, Violet, Red, Pink, Dark-pink in Summer; Apricot, White, Violet, Red, Pink, Dark-pink in Autumn

Foliage

Grey-green in Summer; Grey-green in Autumn

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids , Cutworms

Specific diseases

Foot and root rot , Fusarium wilt , Leaf spot

General care

Pruning

Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering.

Propagation

Sow seed at 16C in early spring or sow in situ in mid-spring. If purchased as plug plants, repot and plant out only after the danger of frost has passed.

Propagation methods

Seed

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Callistephus chinensis Big Boy Mix (China aster Big Boy Mix) will reach a height of 0.9m and a spread of 0.5m after 1 year.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Flower Arranging

Cultivation

Grow in fertile, moist but well-drained, neutral to alkaline soil in sun. Water regularly in dry periods.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor unheated (H2), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8, Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3, Zone 2

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Callistephus chinensis Big Boy Mix (China aster Big Boy Mix)

Common pest name

American serpentine leaf miner; chrysanthemum leaf miner

Scientific pest name

Liriomyza trifolii

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

General biosecurity comments

Regulated pest already subject to review at the EU level (2013). Regularly intercepted in the trade.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/