And to produce very floriferous little asters, take cuttings . Dip the stem in rooting hormone and place it in a pot filled with well-draining medium, like perlite or sand. Separate the roots into sections with three or more shoots and adequate roots with a sharp, clean knife. Cover the cutting with a plastic bag to promote better humidity. Fill the hole with additional soil, as needed. Phlox prefer rich soil with good drainage. Crumble away any loose soil from the roots, letting it fall back into the hole. Carrie630, I have asters, when you divide them, lift the entire plant, and divide, because you need the outer parts, but the centers need to be discarded because they die out after about every 2-3 years. Ray petals are white, blue, deep purple, or pink, and central disks are golden. Two months in advance. Cover the area with mulch. Answer: Early spring is the best time to divide asters. Divide each plant clump into sections with a sharp knife. Till the soil to a depth of at least 12 inches (30 cm). Divide asters. Flowers usually bloom in late summer or fall in clusters, with each blossom from half an inch to several inches wide, on stems six inches to several feet tall. Step 3 - Dividing the Aster Plant. Dig up plants in early spring just as new growth begins to appear. Replant the divisions immediately. The aromatic, bushy, rich blue-green foliage creates a lovely backdrop to these . 7 Tips for Pruning Asters. Early spring is the best time to dig and divide bee balms. Cut a 3- to 5-inch (7.5 to 13 cm.) 1. The ideal time to start the division of an aster corresponds to the beginning of spring before vegetation resumes. Easy to propagate from division. Learn how to divide perennial Aster flowers by root division. Asters grow and flower best in full sun. Like many perennials, asters benefit from division. Wet soils kill off plants in the winter. section of stem and remove the lower leaves, keeping 3 or 4 of the upper leaves. Mulch keeps the soil cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Aromatic aster reaches about 2 to 4 feet tall and has several branched stems with large flowers (about an inch across). Asters can also be propagated by division. Divide mature clumps between late autumn and spring, or take basal or softwood cuttings in the spring. By Bonnie L. Grant, Certified Urban Agriculturist. Each section should have several shoots and a good root system. Perennial plants that grow in a clump are easy to propagate by division. You will find garden asters in many sizes and colors. Usually after around three years, the clumps are large enough to divide. It has a profusion of flowers in late summer. Cut and Enjoy. 8. Before adding new mulch in the spring, remove any old mulch. Enrich the soil with organic compost if necessary. Requirements and care: Full sunlight (for best results) or partial shade. Remove excess dirt from the roots. To divide phlox, cut around the root ball with a sharp spade, then gently lift the plant out from the ground. The clump can be teased apart or chopped up using a sharp knife or a spade. Staking: Stake or cage tall varieties of asters, such as the New England asters, in midsummer to keep the plant from flopping over in fall. Plant these new divisions immediately and water them thoroughly. Stokes' Asters Stokesia hybrids are a group of cultivated hybrids that have been favorites in gardens across the nation for decades. Plant the young plants out in spring, and they will flower the following year. 5/21/09 4:54 PM. A mass of pale-purple flowers of Michaelmas daisy Eurybia x herveyi. The plants are upright and bushy with hairy or smooth leaves and daisy-like flowers. Follow along as Tricia explains how to divide certain types of perennial plants like clumping crow. Dig in 3 to 6 . Previously known as Aster macrophyllus 'Twilight' or Aster herveyi, Eurybia x herveyi is a popular choice as it's resistant to mildew, which can be a problem on some varieties in damp summers. With asters, the root mass spreads so you will be planting the outer growth and discarding the old center roots. Some aster varieties, such as Frikart's aster, can be propagated by taking softwood cuttings. Temperature: 70F (21C). Peachie's Pick is named after Peachie Saxton who discovered it growing in her Mississippi garden. Gardeners' World is brought to you by the BBC. 3. 2. One way to stimulate lush growth is to randomly cut blooming stems to make bouquets and vase arrangements. After flowering, the plants should be cut back and then overwintered - store them in a cold frame or greenhouse over the coldest months. These late summer through early fall bloomers spread 2 to 4 feet (0.6-1 m.) with a height of 1 to 6 feet (0.3-2 m.). 1. In this video, learn how to divide asters. How to Divide Asters. Select sunny, dry, well ventilated locations in which to transplant the phlox divisions. Usually Stokes aster blooms measure up to 4 inches across. Cut into the soil around the plant with a shovel or spade spaced a few inches out from the outer plant stalks, then lift the plant, including its root ball, out of the hole with the shovel. One of the things division does is stimulate new roots that will form new shoots. Loosen the soil around the plant with a fork and slowly lift to loosen the roots. It also helps to limit and prevent weed growth. It is one of the latest to bloom in fall. If you are a follower of the lunar calendar, act during the descending moon period, during which the sap descends into the underground parts, thus promoting good rooting. This is a native wildflower, and in the native state, blossoms are a lavender blue shade. Although most daisies prefer full sunlight, they tolerate partial shade. Remove the lower leaves, keeping three or four of those at the top of the stem. Aster propagation by cuttings should be performed in the spring. Dig up the plants as soon as new growth appears in spring. Plant in multipurpose compost in planting holes a little deeper than the pot the young plant came out of. You may be able to separate the roots by hand or you may need to use a pair of scissors to accomplish this. 1. Growth Habit: Asters grow 1 to 6 feet tall and 1 to 4 feet wide depending on the types and variety. 3. 2. Sarah Raven demonstrates how to divide asters to ensure the flower quality doesn't diminish over time. Wet clay soil will lead to root rot and dry sandy soil will lead to plant wilt. Use this technique to restore balance to a plant with wayward, leggy stems. Once you remove the aster flower from the soil, divide the plant's root ball into three or four sections. 4. Dividing aster plants in spring will allow the new plants time to establish and even bloom before the end of summer without sacrificing flowers or any new growth. H x S: 1m x 50cm. Roots should develop within a matter of weeks. Surround the asters with 2 inches (5 cm) of mulch immediately after planting and every spring. Soil should be moist but well-drained, and loamy. Each division should contain several shoots and a portion of the root system. Mix 2 to 3 inches of compost into the soil prior to planting. Dig a hole large enough to accommodate the root base of the plant. Division should begin in early spring, just as new growth begins to emerge. Prepare a planting spot for the divided daisies ahead of time. Dividing the rootball of a perennial plant. Transplant outdoors before the last light frost or at the start of autumn. The New England aster will germinate in 21 to 45 days at a soil temperature of 65 to 75 degrees F. (8-24 C.). Did you know you can divide the perennials in your garden? Petals are fringed at the edges, giving flowers a frilly look. Divide the clump into sections with a sharp knife. Keep the newly divided asters well watered through . Aster Asteroid Mix. Some varieties will tolerate part shade but will have fewer flowers. To control their spread and rejuvenate plants, it's advisable to dig and divide bee balms every 2 to 3 years. Asters, or michaelmas daisies, are perennial flowers. Perennial division is relatively straightforward. Low-growing, but extremely showy, Symphyotrichum oblongifolium 'October Skies' (Aromatic Aster) is a compact perennial forming a mound of radiant color from late summer to fall with its profuse, rich sky-blue daisy-like flowers adorned with deep yellow centers. A large volume of plants can be produced by teasing out a clump into single rooted shoots and planting up in spring, 5cm/6in apart. Pull off individual shoots by hand, or pull off groups of shoots for larger plants. By Robin Mansur. I would do it before they really get much bigger, if it helps, you could prune it back by half before you divide. Asters can be grown in containers in well-drained compost. Root the cutting in a medium such as sand or perlite, and place a . growing asters in a pot. Once you separate the roots, gently shake off any loose dirt or soil that clings to the clump. Its foliage releases a slight aroma when brushed against. [4] 4. When planting make sure to provide good air circulation, keeping in mind the large spreading area. Sow Inside: Germination time: 3 to 4 weeks. Spade the ground to a depth of 8 to 10 inches. Width 1.5 - 2 Feet. When stems are cut, flora is stimulated to grow new ones and produce even more flowers. Pot the cuttings into individual containers at the first signs of growth (after about six to eight weeks). Pull the entire plant from the ground and shake the soil off around the roots. Watering: Keep young plants well-watered. How To Divide Asters : Tips For Spitting Aster Plants In The Garden. Search Gardeners' World on WonderHowTo for more videos that give practical gardening advice from experts. Examine the clump you have removed, and use sharp pruners to cut away any dead plant material. The leaves are narrow, but not as much as the previous two types, and are about an inch long. Space at 12 to 18 inches (3045 cm). Get free flowers and plants by propagating Asters via Root Division when the plant is dormant . Flowers on Stokes aster occur in a variety of hues, including deep blue, rose pink, silver and yellow. Growing Zones 5-9. Height 1.5 Feet. It may look brutal, but it helps rejuvenate plants and increase the vigour of the original plant - as well as giving you new plants for free. Work your shovel under the cut piece until it comes loose and can be lifted from the soil. The new growth fills in areas that were becoming sparse, a common complaint in asters that .