How to Grow an Astilbe Plant
- Common names: false spirea, false goat’s beard, Chinese astilbe
- Scientific name: Astilbe spp.
- Difficulty areas: 3 to 8, depending on the variety
- Light requirements: partial shade to full shade, can handle full sun in northern areas
- Watering requirements: keep the soil moist every spring/summer; it does not tolerate drought
- Preferred soil: rich, well-drained, evenly moist
- Size: 1 to 5 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide, depending on variety
- Pollination: bees and butterflies
Astilbe may thrive in the shade, but it’s no shrinking violet when it comes to beauty. Amazingly, the flower feathers on the clothes vary from red and pink to purple and white, and are framed by green and bronze fern-like leaves.
“Astilbe is perfect for adding texture and providing long-lasting color in woodland gardens or shady borders,” says Laura Root, botanist at Jackson & Perkins. “It also attracts pollinators such as bees and butterflies and makes an excellent choice for cut and dried flower arrangements.”
The most important step to help astilbe thrive is to keep the soil moist throughout the growing season. Since astilbe does not tolerate drought, it can help to put mulch around the plants to help the soil retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
When and where to plant Astilbe
It is better to plant astilbe in spring or autumn, in rich, well-drained soil. In most parts of the country they need to be in part to full shade, but in northern areas, such as upper Michigan and Wisconsin, they can handle full sun.
“Astilbes are best for planting in shady areas, and they are deer and rabbit resistant and black nut poison resistant,” said Spencer Campbell, arboretum plant clinic manager at the Morton Arboretum.
Can You Grow Astilbe in Containers?
They are medium growing, and can be grown in containers, as long as they are kept moist. “Containers must be made of natural materials as plastics tend to get very hot and will cook the roots if you are not careful,” said Laura. “Glassware is best as it is natural and retains moisture better than unglazed clay or terracotta.”
Should You Kill Astilbe Flowers?
Once your astilbe is established, it’s important to remove spent flower heads to encourage more blooms and reduce excessive foliage in early spring.
“Chinese astilbes are also top feeders and prefer spring fertilization,” says Spencer.
Astilbe is divided every three to five years to prevent crowding. Spencer recommends doing that in early spring to mid-September.
Astilbe Native Plants
Most garden astilbes are native to Southeast Asia, however Astilbe biternata He is from the Appalachians, from Maryland and Virginia, south to Georgia. They grow up to 6 feet tall, with clusters of white, feathery flowers atop feathery, bright green fern-like leaves, said Mary Phillips of the National Wildlife Federation.
Astilbe biternata it is a larval host plant for a variety of butterflies, and is important for native bees, moths and other insects. Especially if you live in its area, consider planting it to help create habitat and improve the local ecosystem.
Does Astilbe spread?
Astilbe is not considered a weed or invasive. It usually does not regenerate violently, but it is important to divide the plants every three to four years to maintain their vigor.
Diseases and problems of Astilbe
When planting, avoid dry, sunny areas and ensure adequate soil moisture to prevent common problems such as powdery mildew and leaf spot fungi, says Laura. A lack of moisture can also cause poor flowering and leaf drop, Spencer said.
Crops to Grow
Maggie Daley Chinese astilbe grows 2 to 3 feet tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. “It has pale lavender-purple flowers, which appear later than other astilbes,” says Spencer. “The spring foliage is bright and shiny, turning dark green as it matures.”
‘Pumila’ Chinese astilbe is a small variety, reaching 8 to 12 inches in height and width. It blooms from July to September, makes a good ground cover in moist, shady areas and spreads faster than other astilbes, Spencer said.
‘Superba’ Chinese astilbe is a large, showy plant with dense magenta-purple flowers. It grows up to 3 to 4 feet high and 18 to 24 inches wide and has hairier stems than most other varieties.
‘Visions’ Chinese astilbe is a compact variety, growing 18 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. It has straight flower stems, dark pink flowers and coppery green leaves with a dense habit.
About Scholars
- Laura Root is a botanist at Jackson & Perkins. She received her degree in organic horticulture from Virginia Tech and loves helping gardeners of all experience levels create a healthy, sustainable environment.
- Spencer Campbell is the manager of the arboretum plant clinic at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. The Plant Clinic is a free nationwide service that provides home gardeners and green professionals with plant and gardening advice.
- Mary Phillips is head of native plant habitat strategy/certification at the National Wildlife Federation. As an ambassador for nature, she keeps residential garden programs thriving through sustainable practices and ever-evolving scientific knowledge.
The post Astilbe Plant Care and Growing Tips appeared first on Birds and Flowers.
Source link
