 can grow 2 to 3 feet tall if not pinched but I prefer that you cut the plant in half on the 4th of July to make the plant bush out and double the amount of flowering stems on the plant. This keeps the Fall Aster shorter and it will not topple over in the fall. Fall Asters will have a more pleasing look and easier to divide in years to come. Divide every three years to keep them under control. When you plant, Fall Asters select a sunny location to a little light shade, as heavy shade will make the plant stretch for the sunlight and plants loose their shape. The plants will grow in most any soil as long as there is no standing water ever. This fall you may notice them growing wild on the side of the road, as you search for the beautiful fall foliage. Fall Asters will stay full and produce more flowers if you plant them with animal manure and compost. Proper planting will keep the plant healthy during summer drought. The fall Aster will not tolerate a sprinkler system planting bed as watering on a regular basis on the foliage will develop a fungus problem called Powdery mildew a white fungus that turns the foliage black in the summer. Plant Fall Asters in meadow, wildflower, woodland, cottage or border garden. Plant Asters in a windy location or in the back of the flowerbeds to allow for good air circulation and feed monthly for healthier plants.
The best daisy type flower for the summer garden is the Black-Eyed Susan and once you plant it in your garden, you will agree with me, that it is a top performer. The Flower color is extremely rich looking with beautiful bright golden-yellow petals and a dark brown, cone-shaped center that will turn black in the fall. The sunny appearance of the flowers will add excitement to your garden because it will attract butterflies while in bloom and in the fall and winter the black cone will be visited by seed eating birds. The plant is strong and has no insect pest or disease problems a real prize. The Black-Eye Susan has rich dark green foliage that is oval with a pointed tip and the plant will grow 18 to 24 inches tall and just as wide. The flowers come on tall stems 12 inches or more to help display their beauty. The flowers also make a great cut flower and will last for weeks in a vase of water. Established plants will bloom for 2 to 3 months as long as they are planted in a sunny location. The main plant will spread with underground runners but the plant is not aggressive and it reseeds freely also. This spring plant Black-Eye Susan in a sun location or light shade and a soil that is well drained with no standing water. Condition the soil with peat moss, animal manure, and compost. Be sure lime yearly as most perennials like a neutral soil. Plants can be divided in the spring or in the fall. Black-eye Susan can be planted in mass plantings, meadow, wildflower, cottage or butterfly gardens. In the perennial garden it will become your favorite flower because the more you cut the flowers the more they will bloom. Feed monthly with a granular fertilizer to keep plants productive.
If you would like to get back to old time gardening and build a country cottage flower garden then begin with the Lady's-mantle. This is a very unusual perennial because it has large lime green foliage 2 to 4 inches wide that resemble a geranium leaf. The flowers are a loose spray of tiny lime green flowers that has a haze effect on the plant. These flowers are not showy but standout on the plant and the soft appearance is very unique, almost like a dwarf Baby Breath in shades of lime green. The leaves are covered with tiny downy hairs on the upper side of the leaf. This unusual hair will catch water from the rain or sprinkler and suspend it like tiny drops of glistening pearls that will move on the leaf as the wind blows. Plant the Lady's-mantle in a sunny location but it will tolerate a little partial shade as long as the soil is rich in organic matter. Be sure to condition the soil when planting with peat moss, animal manure, and compost. Also the soil should be well drained, moist and fertile if you want th