Asters

[CarolineW]

Hi, I bought some Asters for colour in my autumn containers. The flowers have all died now, and I'm wondering what to do with them. Are they annuals, and so should be consigned to my compost bin, or are they perennials and should be planted into my border for next year?

Thanks
Caroline

[Flummery]

It depends what they are. Some are our perennial Michaelmas Daisies. Some are the chinensis type - annuals. I think you'll have to have a peep at the labels (if you kept them). Most of the perennial ones are a bit big for containers (although no doubt someone will disagree with that!) Mine grow up to 3 ft in a good year. If they are shorter types they're probably annual - unless they are alpine types.
Minefield innit?

[rustylady]

If you can't find the labels and you liked the plants, then stick them in the border and see what happens.

[Alice]

You need to know what kind they are and height is not the only guide. I have some perennial ones, 18 " high and purple. If you've no idea just wait until next year and see what happens. But don't be too hasty, they might not appear until quite late.

[Flummery]

If there's no colour in your pots you might want to refill them for the winter (winter pansies etc) and plonk your asters in the ground somewhere as Rustylady says. That way, if they do come again you've not lost them.

[CarolineW]

Thanks, everyone. I searched again for a plant label, and this time found a label on one of them - the other 2 can't have had them, as I obsessively keep hold of them. I must have 2 like this, as I bought 2 purple and 1 pink. It says it's an evergreen, so presumably it is a perennial? (stupid question, I'm sure). I'm going to plant all 3 of them in the border and see what happens. Do asters have any special needs? I'm planning to put them in loamy soil in a half shade (or three quarters sunny, if such a position exists!) position. Does that sound OK?
Caroline

[Flummery]

They are pretty tolerant. I have one in a sunny bed in the front gaden and a new (this year) seedling of same has appeared and flowered in the herb patch almost in the shade of a substantial bay.

[bramble]

I bought six a few years ago, they were the dwarf variety, purple in colour. When they finished flowering i planted them into the border. Since then they have flowered every year but they reverted to type and are now about two feet high. Plant them out and see what happens.

[CarolineW]

Thanks. 2 Foot - hmm, maybe I'll put them further back in the border than I was planning to!

Caroline

[roitelet]

If they have small dark green leaves and small flowers then they ar ethe perennial type.

Just beware, last yearI bought some what I thought were dwarf Asters and left them in the ground. this year they have made 3ft! Garden centres are very good at manipulating plants to make them do just what they want them to for selling.