When Should Michael Maeweis Be Divided?

Asters, also known as Michaelmas daisies, are a group of late flowering perennials that provide fall color after the blooms of summer have gone. They can be grown in dappled or partial shade, in any type of soil, with slightly moist soil being preferable for species prone to powdery mildew. Asters can also be grown successfully in containers, preferably where the soil remains slightly moist.

Propagation of Michaelmas daisies is easy by dividing the plant at the roots. To do this, separate the rootstock by inserting a spade in the middle of the aster, and move the new plant to another suitable spot. Divide plants regularly in spring to maintain health, flower power, and control their size. This is required every 1-3 years for S. novi-belgii and every 3-5 years for S. novi-belgii.

Asters bloom from August through to the end of October, except for Aster alpinus and A. tongolensis ‘Napsbury’, which flowers from late spring to early summer. They can flower from anytime from spring to late autumn (depending on the species). Asters range in size from 15 to 125 cm in height and have daisy-like flowers of white, pink, purple, or blue.

Asters can be cut back in spring, in March or April, and the plant will sprout anew near the ground. Division is the easiest way to propagate small-flowered asters. Lift clumps every three to five years in spring, remove any old and woody material, and divide them in early spring when the new shoots start to sprout.

Most asters will need dividing every fourth year to maintain vigour, but all asters are best divided in spring as new growth starts.


📹 How to divide Aster Flowers

Learn how to divide perennial Aster flowers by root division. Get free flowers and plants by propagating Asters via Root Division …


When to divide Michaelmas daisies in the UK?

The Michaelmas daisy, a small-flowered aster, is a popular choice for its soft, pastel drifts in autumn. Its flowers, produced en masse, transform the plants into cloud-like forms, making them a favorite among gardeners. The easiest way to propagate this plant is through division, which involves lifting clumps every three to five years in spring, removing old and woody material, and replanting or potting up the divided sections. This method also improves the plant’s health and vigor. The small-flowered Michaelmas daisy offers a softer approach to gardening, with a variety of flowers, arching sprays, and interesting foliage.

When should I divide daisies?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

When should I divide daisies?

To maintain the best blooming of daisies, divide them every 2 to 3 years, either in early spring or late summer or early fall. This is necessary for plants with less-vigorous foliage growth, smaller flowers, or sparse or dead parts. To divide, loosen the soil around the plant, gently remove it, brush or shake off soil from the roots, and use a sharp knife or pruning shears to divide the plant into two or more pieces, ensuring each piece has at least a few stems and healthy-looking roots.

Discard any diseased or damaged pieces and replant the divisions as desired. Popular varieties include ‘Becky’, ‘Cobham Gold’, ‘Horace Reed’, and ‘Snow Lady’. Each variety has its own unique characteristics, such as large flowers, double flowerheads, and single white flowerheads.

When to prune Michaelmas daisies?

To cultivate Michaelmas daisies, it is essential to provide them with moist, well-drained soil in an environment that receives full or partial sunlight. Following the completion of the flowering cycle, it is necessary to prune the plant. In order to create a cottage garden, it would be advisable to consider the cultivation of asters and other key plants.

Can you split Michaelmas daisy?

Michaelmas daisies can be propagated by dividing the plant at the roots, inserting a spade in the middle of the aster, and moving the new plant to another suitable spot in the garden. This method promotes rejuvenation and benefits the mother plant. Autumn asters can also be propagated by cuttings, which can be taken in spring and root easily in growing or cutting soil at room temperature. Seeds can be grown from Michaelmas daisies directly after harvesting, germinating within two weeks at 15°C.

When to split an aster?

The optimal time for asters to be divided is during the early stages of spring, when new growth is beginning to emerge. The plants should be dug up, divided into sections with a sharp knife, and replanted without delay. It is essential to maintain adequate irrigation of the newly divided asters throughout the spring and summer to ensure optimal growth.

Can I transplant daisies in the summer?

The transplantation of Shasta daisies can be undertaken in either late fall or early spring, contingent upon the emergence of new growth. Spring transplantation may result in a slight delay in blooming, but it is preferable to divide overgrown perennials in the spring to promote healthier plants. The optimal conditions for transplanting are overcast or rainy days, although the presence of moisture in the soil may result in additional complications.

What time of year is best to split plants?

Divide perennials in spring or autumn when the soil is dry enough to work, and in summer when they produce new roots. This method ensures healthy, vigorous plants that continue to perform year after year and allows for the opportunity to multiply plants. It is suitable for all clump-forming herbaceous perennials, including ornamental grasses, and can be done in autumn or spring, with some in summer. Different methods may be needed for perennials with different needs.

Do Michaelmas daisies spread?

It is important to note that a considerable number of cultivars are susceptible to mold growth. Therefore, it is essential to remove any moldy specimens, as there are numerous others that flourish without exhibiting grayish discoloration. Following the removal of suckers, the author has established two distinct cultivars of Michaelmas daisies. While this requires ongoing vigilance, the resulting flowers are aesthetically pleasing.

How to propagate Michaelmas daisies?

Michaelmas daisies, also known as asters, are nectar-rich plants that boost bees and butterflies. They can be obtained through cuttings, which grow over 12 months and flower in autumn. To maintain the plants, they should be kept moist but not overwatered, as fungal infection can cause rot. Brown cuttings should be removed to protect the rest. For more Michaelmas daises to grow, check out 12 of the best options.

When should Michaelmas daisies be cut back?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

When should Michaelmas daisies be cut back?

To cultivate Michaelmas daisies, it is essential to provide them with moist, well-drained soil in an environment that receives full or partial sunlight. Following the completion of the flowering cycle, it is necessary to prune the plant. In order to create a cottage garden, it would be advisable to consider the cultivation of asters and other key plants.


📹 Perennial Asters A Great Cut Flower For October

They are also known as michaelmas daisies and come under the name symphyotrichum and they make wonderful cut flowers.


When Should Michael Maeweis Be Divided?
(Image Source: Pixabay.com)

2 comments

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  • Hi, I was randomly searching articles on how to divide echinacea and aster and both led me here! I’m overjoyed to find your articles all very informative. Would it be too early to divide an aster that is just two year old come this summer? The clump is about 6″ wide. It put up a grand show last year, shooting up to 5 ft and laden with bloom. However leaves suffer from mildew up to 1 ft height. I also need to put support around. So I am also wondering if both mildew and support can be avoided. I am based in London, U.K. and greatly appreciate your advice!

  • So I bought some new england aster and it has grown exponentially, basically a big ring of big stalks, the lower portion is pretty dry n dead because of lack of light. I’m wondering if I should divide because the plant is already HUGE, at least 2-3 times the size of the one in the article. The plant doesn’t seem like its doing bad at all and I haven’t seen anything about pruning the plant much. Also could I just dig up like half the plant and leave the rest?