Asters are known to be reliable and hardy plants that can easily spread in your garden. They have two primary methods of spreading: through seeds and underground rhizomes. Let’s explore each of these methods in detail.
1. Spread by seeds:
Asters produce an abundance of small, daisy-like flowers that eventually turn into seed heads. These seed heads contain numerous tiny seeds that are dispersed by wind, animals, or even by human intervention. This means that if left unchecked, asters can easily spread throughout your garden and beyond.
To prevent excessive spreading, you can choose to deadhead the spent flowers on earlier blooming varieties. Deadheading involves removing the faded flowers before they have a chance to produce seeds. By doing this, you can control the spread of asters and promote a neater appearance in your garden.
2. Spread by underground rhizomes:
In addition to spreading by seeds, asters also have underground rhizomes, which are horizontal stems that grow beneath the soil surface. These rhizomes can send out new shoots and roots, allowing the plant to expand and form new clumps over time.
The underground rhizomes of asters can be both a blessing and a curse. On one hand, they help the plant to establish and spread, creating a beautiful display of flowers. On the other hand, if left unchecked, they can quickly become invasive and overtake other plants in your garden.
To control the spread of asters via rhizomes, you may need to periodically divide and thin out the plants. This involves digging up the clumps and separating them into smaller sections, which can then be replanted or shared with other gardeners. By regularly dividing and thinning asters, you can keep them in check and prevent them from taking over your garden.
In my own experience, I have found asters to be relatively easy to control and manage. By deadheading the spent flowers and occasionally dividing the clumps, I have been able to keep them from spreading too aggressively. However, it is important to stay vigilant and regularly monitor their growth to prevent any unwanted surprises.
Asters can spread easily through both seeds and underground rhizomes. To control their spread, it is recommended to deadhead the spent flowers and periodically divide the clumps. By implementing these practices, you can enjoy the beauty of asters in your garden without worrying about them taking over.
