Question
1.  Asters - I am trying to get a bed of asters going and got past the animals this year only to start losing them to some sort of blight.  The leaves and stems are turning brown and drying up.  Is there anything to save the rest of them?
2.  Astilbe - I have planted these in part shade, they come up nicely, then dry up before blooming.  What to do next year?
3.  Irises - thought these were full proof and have grown for years, but got few blooms this year.
I use miracle grow every 1-2 weeks on everything.
Thanks,
Carol

Answer
Hi Carol,
Thanx for your question.  It sounds like the asters have botrytis blight.
Avoid sprinkler irrigation. Apply chlorothalonil, mancozeb, or iprodione.
For astilbe, make sure the soil is moist but not soggy and not allowed to dry out completely.  Use an acidic fertilizer like Miracid according to the directions on the box.
Irises sound like they are too crowded.  Dig up rhizomes every three years.  Discard dead or damaged rhizomes.  I think composted-cow manure is much better than Miracle Grow.

I hope this helps.
Tom