What causes my Stokes Asters to get black blotches on the leaves, along with big "bites" out of them?

The leaf blotches are likely some form of leafspot that usually a lab has to culture to positively identify. This plant usually doesn't have serious disease or pest problems, so I'm not sure what is causing the eating of the leaves. It's best not to just spray a pesticide as you might be harming some beneficial insects as well.

Try and watch next season daily for pests as well as diseases, and collect any just as they begin, then take to a full service garden center or plant diagnostic lab for identification and control. Hopefully these are a result of the weather this season, and may not appear next year. *How can I maintain smaller rounded habit of Sedum 'Autumn Joy' and Coreopsis 'Moonbeam'.

They are 4-5 years old. (Pennsylvania) Often plants too tall or floppy are a sign of too little light. Both of these plants in particular grow best in full sun.

Even then with age some plants, such as the Autumn Joy, may flop. Plants that bloom late in the season such as Autumn Joy, Asters, or ... more.

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