China Aster Matador® Soft Blue | Callistephus chinensis

China Aster Matador® Soft Blue | Callistephus chinensis | Elegant, Fully Double Blue Blooms for Cutting and Garden Display

Callistephus chinensis ‘Matador® Soft Blue’ is a refined and high-performing China aster variety from the renowned Matador® series, bred for professional cut flower production and premium garden displays. This stunning aster produces large, fully double, round blooms in a delicate soft blue to lavender tone, adding cool elegance and balance to floral arrangements and borders.

The Matador® series is recognized for its uniform growth, long stems, and exceptional flower size, making it one of the most popular choices among both florists and gardeners. The blooms of ‘Soft Blue’ are long-lasting, beautifully shaped, and excellent for fresh cut flowers, mixed bouquets, and border plantings.

Strong, upright stems and a reliable, vigorous growth habit make this variety ideal for field or greenhouse production. ‘Matador® Soft Blue’ offers exceptional color harmony with pastel or contrasting warm tones, creating refined, modern floral compositions.

Plant Details

• Botanical name: Callistephus chinensis
• Variety: Matador® Soft Blue
• Common name: China Aster
• Plant type: Annual
• Height: 60–80 cm
• Spread: 25–35 cm
• Position: Full sun
• Blooming period: July–October
• Flower color: Soft blue to lavender
• Flower form: Fully double, round, large
• Stem length: Long, strong, ideal for cutting
• Soil: Fertile, well-drained, moderately moist
• Watering: Regular; avoid waterlogging
• Use: Cut flowers, borders, beds, containers
• Hardiness: Annual

Key Features

• Large, fully double blooms in elegant soft blue tones
• Strong, upright stems suitable for professional cut flower use
• Excellent vase life and transport durability
• Uniform growth and high productivity
• Ideal for borders, flower beds, and floral arrangements
• Complements pastel and cool-toned color schemes beautifully

Growing Tips

• Sowing time: Indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after frost
• Germination: 7–14 days at 18–22°C
• Transplanting: When seedlings are 5–7 cm tall; space 25–30 cm apart
• Soil pH: 6.0–7.0
• Fertilization: Regular balanced feeding for strong stems and large blooms
• Pinching: Encouraged to promote branching and multiple flowering stems
• Maintenance: Deadhead regularly to prolong the flowering season