Shokoladka

Astra "Chocolate Daisy" – a popular annual that is easy to grow and use in garden beds. The plants are compact, upright, reaching heights of 65 to 80 cm with a bush width of about 10–14 cm. Their large flower heads reach 9–11 cm in diameter (sometimes slightly more) and have a characteristic chocolate-brown hue, giving the color an exquisite look.

Flowering begins in mid-August and continues until the onset of cold weather. At temperatures of 18–21 °C, seedlings appear within 6–15 days after sowing seeds, which are usually sown in March–April in a greenhouse or cold frame, or directly into the soil in April–May. The plant prefers well-lit areas and fertile soil, yet is quite undemanding: it tolerates moderate shading and frosts down to –3 °C.

"Chocolate Daisy" is perfect for decorating beds both in single plantings and in groups with other asters or medium-height flowers. Seeds yield 400–500 pieces per gram, making them convenient for mass sowing. Thanks to its compactness and cold hardiness, this variety is often used as a decorative element in high borders and beds with diverse plant compositions.