Though China asters usually bloom from summer through autumn, a rare and delightful sight has emerged on a winter morning in Cox’s Bazar. In a woman’s hobby garden, vibrant China aster flowers have bloomed despite the cold season, with nearly six blossoms flowering simultaneously on a single plant—creating both visual charm and curiosity.
China aster (Callistephus chinensis), a popular annual flower native to China and Korea, is well known for its daisy-like or pompon-shaped blooms.
The flower appears in a wide range of colours, including white, pink, purple, blue, and yellow. Because of its long-lasting freshness, it is also widely used as a cut flower. Typically, China asters thrive in sunny conditions with moist, well-drained soil.
Blooming during winter, however, is considered quite unusual. Local gardening enthusiasts believe that a combination of relatively mild temperatures, ample sunlight, and regular care may have enabled this rare winter bloom.
The flowers look so lively and fresh that the garden resembles a summer morning rather than a winter scene.
The carefully nurtured plant has now become a point of attraction for neighbours and visitors. Many are stopping by to see the flowers, take photographs, and even draw inspiration to grow China asters in their own gardens.
Experts say that climate change and local weather variations can sometimes lead to such seasonal irregularities.
With proper care and favourable conditions, flowers like China asters can occasionally defy their usual blooming calendar and surprise nature lovers year-round.
In the quiet winter afternoons of Cox’s Bazar, these colourful China asters stand as a gentle reminder from nature that with care, patience, and love, even time and seasons can be overcome.
By Abdu Rashid Manik
Photo: Abdu Rashid Manik
