Heirloom

Macaroon White

Callistephus chinensis

Photo: Tess Mattew · Wikimedia Commons · (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Harvest

105-115d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

Full sun to partial shade

☀️

Zones

2–11

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

1-3 feet

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Macaroon White in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Macaroon White · Zones 2–11

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Easy

SeasonWarm season annual

ColorBright white with creamy yellow centers

Size1 1/2-2 1/2"

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—
Zone 1	May – June	July – August	July – September	—
Zone 2	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 11	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 12	January – January	January – February	January – March	—
Zone 13	January – January	January – February	January – March	—

Succession Planting

For a continuous cut-flower harvest, direct sow every 3 weeks starting April 1 through early June in zone 7. Stop sowing once daytime highs are consistently hitting 85–90°F — China asters set buds poorly in that heat and germination rates drop sharply. If you want late-season blooms for fall CSA shares, start a final round indoors in late June and transplant out in July once the worst heat breaks; those plants will carry you into October.

Complete Growing Guide

In our trials, Macaroon White was 7-10 days earlier to flower than the Bonita series. Appearance and plant architecture are both very comparable to the Bonita series, although plants are earlier to flower and slightly shorter. 1 1/2-2 1/2", bright white, double blooms with creamy yellow centers. Uniform and productive plants. According to Johnny's Selected Seeds, Macaroon White is 105 - 115 days to maturity, annual, open pollinated. Notable features: Use for Cut Flowers and Bouquets.

Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day), Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours). Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt), Sand. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 0 in. - 1 ft. 6 in.. Spacing: Less than 12 inches. Growth rate: Rapid. Maintenance: Medium. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.

Harvesting

Macaroon White reaches harvest at 105 - 115 days from sowing per Johnny's Selected Seeds. Expect 1 1/2-2 1/2" at peak. As an annual, harvest continues until frost ends the season.

The fruit is a rough-textured, glandular, purple-mottled cypsela that turns gray with age.

Storage & Preservation

For fresh display, keep Macaroon White flowers in a cool room (65-70°F) away from direct sunlight and ripening fruit. Store cut stems in a vase with fresh water, changing water every 2-3 days for a 7-10 day vase life. For preservation: air-dry by hanging stems upside-down in a warm, dark, well-ventilated space for 2-3 weeks to create long-lasting dried arrangements. Press individual blooms between parchment paper for 1-2 weeks to preserve flat flowers for craft projects. Alternatively, freeze blooms in ice cubes or glycerin solution for decorative preservation.

History & Origin

Macaroon White is open-pollinated, meaning seed saved from healthy plants will produce true-to-type offspring. Listed in the Johnny's Selected Seeds catalog.

Origin: China and Southern Russia

Advantages

+Flowers 7-10 days earlier than Bonita series for faster production
+Compact plant habit makes it ideal for smaller garden spaces
+Bright white double blooms with creamy yellow centers are visually striking
+Uniform growth and consistent productivity simplify commercial cultivation
+Easy to grow with straightforward care requirements for beginners

Considerations

-Smaller 1.5-2.5 inch blooms may not satisfy customers wanting larger flowers
-Slightly shorter stature could be disadvantageous for cut flower arrangements
-Limited color option restricts design versatility in mixed plantings

Companion Plants

Marigolds are the first thing I'd tuck in nearby — their root secretions deter soil nematodes, which build up fast in our zone 7 Georgia beds through the long warm season. Sweet alyssum and catmint pull in parasitic wasps and hoverflies that knock back aphid pressure without any intervention from you. Cosmos and zinnia make decent row companions because they share similar water and sun requirements without crowding the root zone. Keep Macaroon White a solid distance from fennel, which puts out allelopathic root chemicals that stunt most annuals, and don't site it anywhere a black walnut drops its canopy — juglone accumulates in the soil and will show up as sudden wilting and decline that looks like drought stress until you trace the source.

Plant Together

Marigolds

Repel nematodes, aphids, and whiteflies while attracting beneficial insects

Sweet Alyssum

Attracts beneficial insects like hoverflies and parasitic wasps that control pests

Nasturtiums

Act as trap crops for aphids and cucumber beetles, drawing pests away

Lavender

Repels moths, fleas, and mosquitoes while attracting pollinators

Catmint

Deters ants, aphids, and rodents while providing nectar for beneficial insects

Chives

Repel aphids and other soft-bodied insects with their strong scent

Cosmos

Attract beneficial insects and provide complementary colors in garden design

Zinnia

Attract butterflies, bees, and predatory insects that help with pest control

Keep Apart

Black Walnut Tree

Releases juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill sensitive plants

Eucalyptus

Produces allelopathic compounds that suppress growth of nearby plants

Fennel

Inhibits growth of most garden plants through allelopathic root secretions

Troubleshooting Macaroon White

What you'll see, why it happens, and what to do about it.

Seedlings collapse at soil level, stems pinched off near the base, often 10–20 days after germination

Likely Causes

Damping off (Pythium or Rhizoctonia solani) — fungal rot that thrives in cold, wet, poorly-drained starting mix
Overwatering or trays with no bottom drainage

What to Do

1.Start fresh — affected seedlings won't recover; pull them and improve airflow with a small fan
2.Water only when the top of the mix feels dry, and bottom-water trays rather than pouring from above
3.Next round, use a sterile seed-starting mix and disinfect your trays with a 10% bleach solution before sowing

Flower petals and buds showing gray fuzzy coating, stems going soft during humid summer stretches

Likely Causes

Botrytis blight (Botrytis cinerea) — gray mold that moves fast in still, humid air above 60°F
Plants spaced too tightly, especially under partial shade where foliage stays wet longer

What to Do

1.Remove and bag affected blooms and stems immediately — don't compost them
2.Space plants at least 12 inches apart and switch to drip or ground-level watering instead of overhead irrigation
3.If you're cutting for arrangements, harvest in the morning once dew has dried so you're not bringing wet stems inside

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take Macaroon White to bloom from planting?▼

Macaroon White typically flowers in 105-115 days from planting. However, it blooms 7-10 days earlier than comparable Bonita series varieties, making it an excellent choice if you want flowers sooner. Actual timing depends on temperature, light, and growing conditions.

Is Macaroon White good for beginners?▼

Yes, Macaroon White is excellent for beginners. It's rated as an easy-to-grow variety with uniform, productive plants and reliable flowering. It requires minimal care, performs well in various light conditions (full sun to partial shade with 4-6+ hours of light), and is forgiving of typical gardening mistakes.

Can I grow Macaroon White in containers?▼

Yes, Macaroon White is well-suited for container growing. Its slightly shorter plant height and compact architecture make it ideal for pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets. Ensure containers have drainage holes and use quality potting soil for best results.

How much sunlight does Macaroon White need?▼

Macaroon White thrives in full sun to partial shade, requiring a minimum of 4-6+ hours of direct sunlight daily. It's flexible with light conditions, performing well in various garden settings. More sunlight generally encourages fuller blooms and more prolific flowering.

When should I plant Macaroon White flowers?▼

Plant Macaroon White after the last frost date in your area when soil has warmed. For earlier blooms, start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Direct sowing is also possible once soil temperature reaches 60-65°F. This timing ensures optimal germination and growth.

What makes Macaroon White different from the Bonita series?▼

Macaroon White flowers 7-10 days earlier than Bonita varieties while maintaining similar appearance and plant architecture. Plants are also slightly shorter, providing a more compact growth habit. Both have excellent uniform and productive characteristics, but Macaroon White's earlier blooming makes it ideal for shorter growing seasons.