Aster - Ostrich Feather This wonderful mix of pompon shaped Asters provide a colourful display for late summer beds and cutting. It stands up well to rain, giving good garden displays or a great cut flower. The half hardy annual reaches the height of 45cm. Sow indoors for surest results, from February to April, 0.5cm deep, in trays of compost. Water well and place in a warm position. A temperature of 15-20°C is ideal. Keep moist. Seedlings usually appear in 14-21 days. Transplant seedlings, 5cm apart, to other trays when large enough to handle. Always hold by a leaf, never by the stem. Grow on in cooler, but not cold conditions. Gradually accustom young plants to outside conditions, before planting out into well-drained soil, May-June, 30cm apart, when frosts are over. Or, sow outdoors for ease, April-May, where they are to flower, 0.5cm deep, into finely-prepared, well-drained soil, which has already been watered. Thin seedlings to 30cm apart. Water well until plants are established. Flowers from July to October.
