michaelmas daisies

Question

Why do my pink flowering Michaelmas daisies have tall stems with dry brown dead leaves on the stems? They have nice pink flowers on the tops.

Answer 1

It is not unusual for this to occur in these Aster flowers.
In fact many gardeners refer to it as this flowers 'bad habit'.
The effects can be accelerated as the plants are winding down from the growing season.

You can look for shorter varieties or use these flowers in a mass planting to disguise the issue.