Planting, pruning, fertilizing, and mulching are all part of a gardener's tasks. But one of the most important and often undiscussed gardening chores is relocation. Over the years I've had to relocate many plants from their original locations. Most often this is because a plant fails to thrive in it's original planting. As tree canopies grow and change light conditions, a plant must be transplanted to an area that receives more light. Every once in awhile though, a plant must be moved because it is doing too well and begins to dominate it's area. The photos above are of an aster that has done just that. All I knew of this plant was that it was a native, and flowering in a one gallon pot it was a mere foot tall. I planted it in a moist, mostly sunny area near the front of a bed, assuming it would top out around 24" and not block sight of the 3-4 foot tall plantings behind it. The first year it was a lovely, well mannered plant. It bloomed when not many other plants do-October through November. It also provided dividends, it sent out offshots that I promptly transplanted to other areas. This year though, it grew to over 6 feet tall and not only blocked it's background neighbors, but became floppy and gangly. The moisture and fertility of it's location created a monster. Not only in this location, but in two other areas I planted it, side shoots were popping up and taking over whole beds. So this beautiful plant was dug up and moved to an outer perimeter area with less rich soil that is not irrigated. I hope it lives but doesn't thrive. Meanwhile I'm trying to erradicate pesty root shoots that keep popping up from the original plantings. Moral of the story: most invasive plants are exotics (kudzu, potato vine, et all), but given the most favorable conditions, even native plants can become aggressive.
