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Knautia Macedonia

Pta55Pta55 Posts: 28
in Problem solving
My Knautia is full of mildew and all the bottom leaves have died off, it did flower well this year. Should I cut it right down or what? Pta55

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  • Pta55Pta55 Posts: 28

  • Pta55Pta55 Posts: 28
    Sorry sideways! I lost one last year and the rose campion appeared this year. I wouldn’t say it was squashed but it does have a laurel hedge behind and it is quite dry although it does all get watered. Thanks for replying. Pta55
  • Pta55Pta55 Posts: 28
    Thank you songbird I think your absolutely right now that I look at that piece of the garden they are all struggling. Will do as you suggest and then move the knautia and other plants Blue Phlox and the Echinacea Purpua Vine later and find something more suitable for fry poor soil. Any suggestions? However should I cut the Knautia down now?
  • FairygirlFairygirl Posts: 55,117
    They're inclined to get mildew anyway, and it's often airflow even when they don't have drier soil.
    I just cut off dead stuff.  You can certainly cut it back and it will probably produce more fresh foliage. If that was mine, I'd dig it up now and replant somewhere else. They're hard to kill :)

    Asters will tolerate drier conditoins, as will many of the 'daisy' plants, from Leucanthemums to Heleniums and Rudbeckias etc. 
    It's a place where beautiful isn't enough of a word....



    I live in west central Scotland - not where that photo is...
  • Pta55Pta55 Posts: 28
    I think I will loosen the soil and water well, cut it back and feed it then move it when it’s a bit healthier. Thank you Pta55

  • BorderlineBorderline Posts: 4,700
    I don’t think there is anything wrong with your plant. As others have mentioned they get tired looking at this time of year. It is not really a plant for foliage and in a densely packed border of well stocked plants, the straggly leaves tend to drop off and you are left with bare stems and seed heads into the autumn time. 
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