Aster Seeds - Gremlin Double Mix

The Aster Gremlin Double Mix is a unique and striking blend of compact asters that feature double blooms in a range of vibrant colors, including pink, purple, white, and red. These double-flowered asters have a pompon-like appearance, with a dense center surrounded by multiple layers of petals. The Gremlin Double Mix is perfect for adding texture, color, and visual interest to your garden or containers, especially in fall when most plants are winding down.

Key Benefits

• Compact Size: Gremlin Double Mix asters are short and bushy, making them an excellent choice for container gardens, borders, and smaller garden spaces.
• Vibrant Colors: This mix includes an exciting variety of shades, including pink, purple, white, and red, adding brightness and diversity to your garden.
• Attracts Pollinators: Like other asters, this variety helps support local ecosystems by attracting bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators.
• Long Blooming Period: Enjoy a burst of color from late summer to fall, providing essential interest in the garden when other plants may have finished blooming.

Variety Features

• Flower Type: Double flowers with a pompon-like structure, featuring densely packed petals that form a rounded bloom.
• Height: These asters grow to a compact height of about 10-12 inches, making them ideal for containers, borders, or front-of-bed plantings.
• Bloom Time: Blooms from late summer to fall, offering color in the garden when many other flowers have already finished their blooming season.
• Flower Colors: A mix of vibrant pink, purple, red, and white double flowers, perfect for adding cheerful splashes of color.

Planting Instructions

Best Planting Season

• Spring: Start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost date, or sow directly outdoors once the danger of frost has passed.

Ideal Location

• Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade. These asters perform best in bright, sunny spots but can tolerate light shade.
• Soil Requirements: Prefers well-drained, fertile soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (6.0-7.0).

Planting Details

• Seed Depth: Plant seeds about 1/8 inch deep in soil, and lightly cover them with a thin layer of soil.
• Spacing: Space plants 6-8 inches apart to allow them to grow and spread without overcrowding.

Care Instructions

Watering

• Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid waterlogging. Water at the base of the plants to prevent mildew and other fungal issues from developing on the foliage.

Fertilizing

• Apply a balanced fertilizer once or twice during the growing season to promote healthy growth and more abundant blooms. Use a slow-release or liquid fertilizer for the best results.

Pruning

• To encourage bushier growth, pinch back young plants. Deadheading spent flowers can promote additional blooms and keep the plant looking tidy.

Harvesting

• Cut Flowers: For the best blooms, cut the flowers when they are fully open but still fresh. Use sharp garden shears to avoid damaging the plants, and place the cut stems in water immediately to preserve their freshness.
• Storage: Change the water in the vase every few days to extend the life of cut flowers.

Storage

• Drying: Hang flowers upside down in a dark, dry place to dry them for long-term use in arrangements or as dried floral decorations.
• Vase Care: Refresh the water in the vase regularly, and re-cut the stems to keep the flowers fresh longer.

Culinary Uses

• While asters are not typically used for culinary purposes, their colorful petals can be used as an edible garnish in salads or desserts for a pop of color.

Conclusion

Aster Seeds - Gremlin Double Mix is a fantastic choice for gardeners who want to add compact, colorful, and visually interesting flowers to their garden. The dense, double blooms create a stunning contrast in the landscape, and their long blooming period ensures that your garden will remain vibrant into the fall. Perfect for containers, borders, or smaller garden spaces, this aster variety is a low-maintenance, hardy plant that will thrive in sunny locations. With its vibrant mix of colors and ability to attract pollinators, the Gremlin Double Mix is sure to enhance any garden or landscape.