Quick Guide: summer/autumn, half hardy, full sun, height: 60-75cm/24-30in, width: 30cm/12in

The China aster, Callistephus chinensis, bears chrysanthemum like blooms from high summer to the first frosts. They are bushy plants with flowers in all tones of pink, red and purple or white; they may be double, semi-double or single, pompon or feathered. The Duchess strain has thick, incurving petals.

PROPAGATION Sow seed outdoors where plants are to flower in late spring; thin seedlings to 30cm/12in apart when they are large enough to handle.

GROWING Light, free-draining soil is best, but any good garden soil will do. Choose a site protected from wind. Stake the taller varieties before the flowers open. Dead-head regularly for successive flowering. China asters are susceptible to wilt; to prevent the occurrence of this disease, do not grow them on the same plot for 2 consecutive years.

VARIETIES `Miss Europe', hall type, pink; 'Fire Devil', Duchess strain, wilt-resistant, bright scarlet; the Giants of California strain has large, ruffled flowers; 'Milady', dwarf selection in numerous colours.

POSSIBLE PROBLEMS Wilt causes plants to collapse; cucumber mosaic virus causes yellow mottling of leaves.