Neal. I had Royal Wedding plantlets as far as 2 feet from the plant.
No lateral roots that I have ever seen here, just a big taproot type.
If you shred anything off the taproot it will act as a rootcutting, new plants appear late season or next season.
My OP's die off in August,then put up winter crownes. They look awful in spring but sure enough the plant looks great when temps go to70's.
