Days to Maturity: 90 to 100

Plant ‘Starlight Mixed’ seeds in early spring, and in summer to fall, they bloom in a mix of very showy 3- to 5-inch shaggy to pompon flowers in vibrant shades of blue, purple, scarlet, and rose. Highly popular and rewarding, a cutting garden favorite, they flower early, profusely, and incessantly over a long season. Borne singly on long, strong floral stems, the flowers make brilliant additions to floral arrangements and attract butterflies and bees.

Cool weather, half-hardy annuals, the basal branched plants, also known as China aster, have a fast growth rate and a compact, bushy habit of ovate, deeply toothed, medium-green foliage. Plant in large drifts to create a stunning carpet of color or grow in containers for pops of color just about anywhere.

Among the easiest plants to grow from seed, asters prefer full sun and rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil. The plants are shallow-roote