Re: Coreopsis/Aster

Thanks, all, for all the help with coreopsis :-)))

Actually, here in the northeast we have had plenty of rain, and Bob also
waters quite regularly, including regular fertilization (Miracle-gro)......

I guess it's the nature of the beast that the coreopsis has a major flush
of flowers......then fewer flowers, until it gives out in the fall.  Yes,
it is definitely compulsive to deadhead coreopsis ;-))))   Trying to figure
out which is a coming bud or a gone-by flower is also difficult in
Moonbeam. I thought I had it figured out, but realized I had been cutting
some buds too.  So I stopped.  Our plants are so full that cutting back
sections doesn't ruin the effect, so I do separate a section which looks
like it has flowered, and cut that back about 1/2 way.  At least new
foliage fills in even if no new buds.  I guess what I was hoping was that
someone would give me a magic answer to keep the plants the way they looked
earlier in the season - so covered with flowers you could hardly see
foliage.   Thanks again.  It is one of my favorite plants and I intend to
get the rose version next year (in pots, not bare root) if the little sprig
out front flowers and we like what we see.

Aster - I really appreciate the advice there.  We have several groupings of
the A.P. aster which is beautiful when in flower, and nothing special the
rest of the time.  Even with all my severe cutting in June, it is still
waist high.  Next year it moves to the very back of the border instead of
the middle, and it will be pruned severely again.  It definitely is much
bushier at least from all the cutting back.  It is hiding the beautiful
dahlias behind it, which were "supposed" to be taller, but aren't.  It is
so frustrating when plants do not reach the heights listed for them - tough
to plan. They just seem to have minds of their own :-(

Shasta daisies the same.  We have loads of them, all grown from seed, and
the same 3 varieties.  Some of the exact same variety are tall, others
really short. Makes no sense,  Side by side, same conditions......

We marked the taller ones, and next year will be taking Traci
di-Sabato-aust's advice to prune by 1/3 to 1/2 early in spring.  

The more we see how easy coneflowers are, the more we intend to use them!
The White Swan is gorgeous.  We have the traditional purple (a lot of that)
and tried a new one (Bravado) this year which we didn't like as well.
Pretty, but lacks the traditional coneflower "cone".  

Well, out to deadhead the annuals (petunias keep me very busy!).  

Georgia
Bob & Georgia Parker
gardening in Foxborough MA - Zone 6
a*@earthlink.net

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