Dave, I've grown Duchess Mix, but there were no orange asters in there - pinks, purples, whites, etc. I've never seen an orange China aster. I'd love to see a photo. I googled Orange Sherbet but couldn't find a photo. Do you have one?

:)
Dee

Dee,

The picture from Thompson and Morgon's Duchess mix seem to have orange in it (the lower left one):
http://www.tmseeds.com/product/6123.html

But the Orange Sherbet that I mentioned is here:
https://www.seymourseedusa.com/dp.asp?P=%7B832351FB%2D6378%2D40B3%2D9633%2D458710BD0D2F%7D

Don't they look beautiful? I have never grown one, but from the pictures, the flowers look like big chrysanthemum.

From your experience, are they difficult to grow? Did you start your seed indoor?

Hi again Dave!

Thanks for the pics! Funny, I've grown Duchess Mix two years in a row, from two different packets of seed, and I never had yellow or salmon/apricot colored flowers! Actually, I don't even recall seeing those colors in the catalog when I ordered the seeds, lol. I wonder if those colors are new additions to the mix.

The Orange Sherbet is very nice, although I was expecting more of a pumpkin or marigold orange. These are more salmon or apricot. Still beautiful, though. But I guess if I had really thought about it, orange sherbert (the food) *is* more of that color, not a bright orange.

Anyway, for the most part, I find Chinese asters easy to grow. I did have a bit more trouble with them this year, (most likely due to neglect on my part) but still had a nice patch of them. I grow several kinds, and I'm always eager to try a new kind, because these really are beautiful, elegant flowers. I just wish they had a longer bloom period. They bloom for me in August through September.

I've grown them for three years now, and would not be without them. I winter-sow them, which is really easy, and in general have very good results. I also leave some seedheads up, because I discovered the first year that the following spring I had lots of volunteers when I didn't get around to cleaning up that bed, lol. Not invasively or aggressively reseeding, but nicely, IMO.

I would encourage you to try a few kinds. I think you'll be happy with them!

:)
Dee

Dee, thanks. I will try a few kinds next year. I am interested to see them cross pollinate and see if new shapes will come out of them. :)