China Aster, a tender annual from Asia, was grown by Williamsburg's John Custis in 1737. By 1804, Bernard McMahon of Philadelphia was selling eleven cultivars in a variety of fancy forms. Those grown here, at Monticello, represent the species, or wild, form; they have simple, single, blue flowers on two to three foot plants.
Visit Monticello’s Online Shop to check for seeds or plants of China Aster.
Typical Blooming Dates: July - October
Blossom Color(s): Blue, Pink, Reds, Yellow, White
Location at Monticello: West Lawn
In Bloom at Monticello is made possible by support from The Richard D. and Carolyn W. Jacques Foundation.