Stokes asters

Question

I have had my stokes asters for 5-6 years mostly in the same place for the last 3 yrs. I have divided the larger ones to fill out the area where I wanted them – edging a driveway. They have bloomed profusely in the past, but this year only 8 or 10 of the 20 plants bloomed – and that sparsely. They have ALL developed from one pot I bought ~ 5-6 years ago and now each is as big as the original one was — so I guess I am doing something right, but I want more blooms. See photo from 2015. I began to wonder if they don’t bloom well every year — but I expect they are asking to be divided.

I have another question too! I have many hydrangea bushes and they are becoming more blue. I would like to add lime to make the soil less acid so they would be more pink or lavendar, but wonder how and WHEN to do it.

Answer 1

Blossoms could be affected by environmental reasons, soil nutrients and simply age of the plants.

To keep Stokes aster flowers growing strongly from year to year, scratch 3 tablespoons of slow-release 10-20-10 fertilizer into the soil around each plant in the spring. Water the fertilizer in right away to start the nutrients working their way down to the roots.