Aster Seeds - King Size Apricot

25 Seeds

King Size Apricot Aster Seeds

Grow oversized, softly coloured cut flowers with King Size Apricot Aster seeds. This annual China aster produces large double and semidouble blooms in a delicate light-apricot shade. The rounded, densely petalled flowers have a whimsical pom-pom appearance and measure approximately 2½–3 inches across.

King Size Apricot is especially well suited to cutting gardens, wedding-inspired colour palettes, cottage borders, and late-summer bouquets. Its warm neutral colouring combines beautifully with cream, blush, lavender, burgundy, white, and green flowers.

The tall plants reach approximately 34–40 inches and produce sturdy stems suitable for harvesting. Flowers mature in approximately 110–120 days, making this variety a useful late-season addition after many earlier annual flowers have begun to slow down.

Each packet contains approximately 25 seeds. Browse additional colours and flower forms in our Aster Seeds collection.

King Size Apricot Aster Growing Information

Why Grow King Size Apricot Asters?

King Size Apricot stands out for its substantial flower heads and versatile colouring. The soft apricot shade is warm enough to add interest but neutral enough to blend with many different floral palettes.

The flowers can serve as focal blooms in smaller arrangements or support larger flowers in mixed bouquets. Their rounded shape contrasts especially well with airy cosmos, vertical snapdragons, and textural greenery.

Useful bouquet companions include:

• White or cream asters
• Lavender China asters
• Apricot cosmos
• Green and silvery bouquet fillers
• Blush or salmon zinnias
• Dark burgundy accent flowers

For another warm-toned cut flower, pair this variety with Apricotta Cosmos. You can also compare its rounded blooms with the peony-style flowers of China Tower Chamois Aster.

How to Grow King Size Apricot Asters From Seed

Starting indoors is recommended because this variety requires approximately 110–120 days to reach maturity. Sow seeds 6–8 weeks before your final expected spring frost.

Fill clean seed trays or 72-cell flats with moist seed-starting mix. Sow each seed approximately ⅛ inch deep and cover it lightly. Keep the growing mix evenly moist without leaving it saturated.

Seeds generally germinate in 10–14 days under suitable conditions. Once seedlings emerge, place them under strong overhead light. Insufficient light can cause thin, stretched stems.

Maintain gentle airflow around the seedlings and water near the soil surface. When roots begin filling the original cells, transplant the seedlings into larger containers if outdoor conditions are not yet suitable.

For general information about growing annual China asters, visit the North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. The University of Minnesota Extension cutting-garden guide provides additional advice for growing flowers from seed.

Transplanting and Spacing

Harden indoor-grown seedlings off before permanent outdoor planting. Begin with short periods in a sheltered location, then gradually increase exposure to sunlight, wind, and outdoor temperatures over approximately one week.

Transplant after damaging frost is no longer expected. Choose a location receiving at least six hours of direct sunlight per day and prepare fertile, well-draining soil.

Avoid planting China asters in exactly the same location every year. Rotating them with unrelated crops can help reduce the buildup of soil-borne problems.

Leave enough room between plants for airflow. Closer spacing may encourage straighter cut-flower stems, while wider spacing allows more branching.

Watering and Feeding

Keep the soil consistently moist as the plants establish and begin producing buds. Water deeply near the base rather than repeatedly wetting the foliage.

Mulch can help retain moisture and reduce soil splashing onto lower leaves. Keep mulch slightly away from the main stems.

Compost-enriched soil may provide sufficient nutrition. If additional feeding is needed, use a balanced flower fertilizer according to its label. Excessive nitrogen may encourage leafy growth instead of flowers.

Supporting the Tall Stems

At 34–40 inches tall, King Size Apricot asters benefit from support, particularly in windy gardens or exposed cutting rows. Horizontal flower netting can support multiple plants while allowing their stems to grow upright through the openings.

Install netting while plants are still small. Individual plants can also be supported with stakes and soft ties.

Pinching is not required for this variety. Allowing the central stems to grow naturally helps preserve the substantial flower size associated with the King Size series.

Harvesting King Size Apricot Asters

Harvest when the flowers have begun opening and display their full apricot colour. Blooms cut too early may not develop properly, while flowers left until fully mature may have a shorter vase life.

Cut during a cool part of the morning or evening with clean, sharp snips. Remove leaves that would sit below the waterline and place the stems into clean water immediately.

Allow the flowers to hydrate in a cool location before arranging them. Refresh vase water regularly and remove any fading foliage.

Quick Planting Instructions

• Start indoors 6–8 weeks before the final frost.
• Sow approximately ⅛ inch deep.
• Keep the seed-starting mix evenly moist.
• Expect germination in approximately 10–14 days.
• Provide strong light immediately after emergence.
• Harden seedlings off before transplanting.
• Plant in full sun and well-draining soil.
• Provide flower netting or stakes.
• Do not pinch.
• Harvest as blooms begin opening.

King Size Apricot Aster FAQs

How tall does King Size Apricot Aster grow?

The plants reach approximately 34–40 inches under suitable growing conditions.

How large are the flowers?

The double and semidouble blooms measure approximately 2½–3 inches across.

Does King Size Apricot Aster need pinching?

No. Pinching is not required for this variety.

Can it be direct sown?

Yes. Direct sow once the soil reaches approximately 18–21°C, but indoor starting is recommended in many Canadian regions because of the long maturity period.

Is King Size Apricot an annual?

Yes. It is an annual China aster and completes its life cycle in one growing season.

Does it need support?

Support is recommended because the plants are tall and carry substantial flower heads.

Explore More Asters and Cut Flowers

Pair King Size Apricot with King Size Lady Lavender Aster for a coordinated pastel planting. Browse all available colours in the Aster Seeds collection or discover complementary textures in our Filler Flower Seeds collection.