My aster looks ill :(

Cleo13

Hello

I have an aster in the garden that islooking black, I can't remember it looking like that last year. 

Should I prune it back or could it be too late? It's not wilting but doesn't look very good. Any help would be appreciated. 

Dovefromabove

Hi Cleo

Which sort of aster are we talking about?  There are the showy annual type and the hardy perennial type that we used to call Michaelmas daisies. 

Cleo13

It's the perrenial type 

nutcutlet

The tops die back every winter, cut them off. 

Dovefromabove

I cut perennial asters right back in late winter - I presume the leaves that are black are last year's growth?  

Cleo13

Thanks nutcutlet, so I should be able to save it then?  It's such a pretty thing

nutcutlet

Most of them are pretty tough, do you know what it is you've got?

Cleo13

Do you think I could still cut it back now,dovefromabove? I can't find out much how to care for it on websites. I seem to remember cutting it back last yr tbh 

Cleo13

nutcutlet wrote (see)

Most of them are pretty tough, do you know what it is you've got?

I can't remember, it has lovely red coloured flowers. My label went missing 

Dovefromabove

Cleo13 wrote (see)

Do you think I could still cut it back now,dovefromabove? I can't find out much how to care for it on websites. I seem to remember cutting it back last yr tbh 

I would - I'd cut it back to just above ground level and give it just a sprinkling of Fish Blood & Bone 

Cleo13

I'll have a go at it tomorrow, I really don't want to lose it  many thanks dovefromabove and nutcutlet