The Accidental Smallholder Forum

Growing => Gardens => Topic started by: BML on October 16, 2012, 11:43:13 pm

Title: Asters, do they reeally need replanting yearly?
Post by: BML on October 16, 2012, 11:43:13 pm

I have justread that asters need to be lifted every year and only the outer sections used again.  Is that true?

Title: Re: Asters, do they reeally need replanting yearly?
Post by: Hermit on October 17, 2012, 10:22:32 am

My Asters spread like wildfire and I cant get rid of them! You must have a delicate kind!

Title: Re: Asters, do they reeally need replanting yearly?
Post by: BML on October 17, 2012, 11:52:09 am

I read it in "The Flower Expert" book.  It states, " Aster Michaelmas Daisy.  "All types apart from A. amellus need lifting every other year and the centre of the clump discarded.  Seems a trifle labour intensive to me.

Title: Re: Asters, do they reeally need replanting yearly?
Post by: Fleecewife on October 17, 2012, 12:16:32 pm

Michaelmas daisies are a bit different to asters in general, many of which are annuals.
 
The reason I can think of for lifting and dividing Michaelmas daisies every alternate year (not every year) would be that they have a tendency to get mildew if overcrowded. The best new bits will be found around the outside of the old plant.   Most garden perennials need to be lifted and divided about every three years, but that is just 'best practice' and the things will survive perfectly well if you just divide them when you have time or if they start to look a bit peaky.