Asters are, without exaggeration, true flowering miracles. This doesn't just benefit the bee world. You too can enjoy the colorful and long-lasting flowers. But every now and then a cut makes sense to maintain the flower bloom, extend it, etc.
When and how do you cut asters correctly?
Asters should be radically cut back to just above the ground in spring. Remove old flowers regularly during flowering and rejuvenate every 3-4 years. For rough-leaf and smooth-leaf asters, summer pruning is recommended in June to encourage better branching.
Reasons for a cut
Asters can become real giants in the perennial bed. They grow to a height of 150 cm and are not modest in width either. This is also the first reason why cutting is not a mistake: it stops growth. You can keep your aster small and fine with the right cut. But this only applies to perennial species.
Here are other reasons that (can) make cutting important:
- Use as a cut flower
- Prolongation of flowering period
- Prevention of self-seeding
- Saving energy
- Rejuvenation
- Obtaining cuttings for propagation
Radical cut in spring
In spring you should radically cut your asters back to just above the ground. A conventional pair of secateurs is sufficient for this (€14.00 on Amazon). You shouldn't make this radical cut in the fall! Anyone who cuts down the perennial in autumn takes away its shoots, which protect it from frostbite and moisture in winter.
Treat yourself to a rejuvenation treatment every 3 to 4 years
Asters become lazy to bloom over the years. It's not just dividing the rootstock that helps. You should also rejuvenate the perennial surface every 3 to 4 years. To do this, heavily woody and old-looking parts of the plant are simply removed completely.
During the flowering period, cut off old flowers regularly
Whether spring, summer, autumn or winter aster - if you regularly cut off the plant's old flowers during the flowering period, new flowers will form. In addition, the aster does not have to invest unnecessary energy in producing seeds. It remains more flowery.
A summer pruning to encourage better branching
Pruning in summer is also recommended for rough-leaf and smooth-leaf asters. Cut back the plants by a third around June. They then branch out better, creating more space for flowers.
Cutting to obtain cuttings
Last but not least, you can use scissors to get shoots for cuttings. This is how it works:
- Cut off 10 cm long shoots
- remove lower leaves
- Put into pots with potting soil (preferably a mix of sand and soil)
- Moisten the substrate
- Put the plastic bag over it
- pay attention to even moisture
- hardy in the first winter, so overwinter
- plant in May
Tip
Asters are good cut flowers and last a long time in the vase. But don't be too cocky! Aster flowers represent an important pasture for bees in autumn.
