Native Plants
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Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
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Friday - July 04, 2014
From: Austin, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Pruning, Herbs/Forbs
Title: Optimal time for trimming Fall asters
Answered by: Guy Thompson
QUESTION:
RE: fall asters What is the latest date in the summer that I can trim my fall asters and still get a good amount of blooms in October?ANSWER:
Symphyotrichum oblongifolium (Aromatic aster) or Fall aster does tend to become leggy, especially if watered regularly. It is recommended that it be pruned back by about half in June. I would imagine you could stretch that to early July, but hurry.
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