How to plant astilba in the spring. Astilba: growing, planting and care

Astilba is very elegant plant. Loved by many growers. Its brilliant, delicate foliage retains decorativeness throughout the summer, and tiny flowers on long peduncles are collected in large paniculate inflorescences. Astilba blooms very longfrom early July to mid-August. And there are varieties of early flowering. Astilbe elegant leaves are dark green, shiny, pinnate, with a wedge-shaped base, located on strong strong petioles.
Thanks to the beautiful sprawling bush, astilba is decorative all season, even if it does not bloom.

Very beautiful color in colors - white, pink, lilac, red and violet-purple of different shades, there are a lot of varieties, you can choose for every taste.
Astilba's long branched inflorescences can be erect or drooping. Drooping look very impressive.

I first planted the first astilba bush on a sunny place where it grew very poorly.

Astilba is a very moisture-loving plant. Therefore, in the southern region it is rarely grown because of the dry summer. But in general, care for her is simple. It has a rare endurance and winter hardiness, it is not very demanding on soils, but it develops better on loose, moist and nutritious soil.

Well, now everything is in order about the wonderful astilba plant.

How to grow astilba?

The best place for astilbe is the blackout. In the extreme case - shading at noon. Otherwise, it will quickly fade and will lose the brightness of the flowers. Best astilbe feels in the shade of large trees.

When choosing a place is very important flowering time. Early and late varieties bloom well and long in the shade as well as in the sun, but for the flowering plants it’s better to look at shaded corners, as the bright July sun drastically reduces their flowering time.

Most varieties of astilbe can grow in places with high groundwater and tolerate even stagnant water. Long-term drought can not tolerate. Poor soil, open sunshine and lack of rain can destroy the plant. In such cases, astilbe need to be watered twice a day - early in the morning or in the evening.

Fertile soil, thickened planting, and also mulching with shavings or bark is very favorable for the plant. Astilbe very poorly tolerate overheating of the upper part of the rhizome, and mulch helps to reduce overheating, loss of moisture, preserves soil looseness, prevents the appearance of weeds and, very importantly, creates favorable conditions for wintering. In flower beds it is best to mulch the plants immediately after planting, covering the entire surface of the soil with a mulch layer of 5 cm.

In favorable conditions astilby grow rapidly. Astilves are divided and transplanted every 4-5 years, and especially rapidly growing varieties in 3-4 years.

BUT stilba has one feature. Approximately 4 cm of its rhizome grows up each year, as a result of which it becomes bare. thereforeevery year it is necessary to pour land on her, better in the fall. Otherwise in a harsh winter, the plants will freeze out, and most importantly, they will no longer open the buds. So you will have a dull panicles that do not bloom at all, continuing to dry out completely.Flower growers often do not know about it and after 3 - 4 yearsgrowth have to throw away the plant.

However, in principle, astilbe can grow in one place for a long time, up to 15-20 years. To maintain the decorativeness of old plants, you need to fertilize annually. Astilbes are fed first in the spring after regrowth (nitrogen fertilizers prevail), then immediately after flowering or in the fall (potassium and phosphorus - 20-25 g per plant). It is necessary to carefully plow the soil and then again mulch.

Rejuvenating division and transplant astilbe tolerates easily.

Planting astilbe

Astilbe can be transplanted at any time during the growing season, even at the time of flowering, then they should be watered within 2-3 weeks after transplantation.But still the most favorable time for transplant after flowering in August.

How to reproduce astilba?

It can be propagated by seeds, germinating buds of renewal, division of the rhizome.

With the help of seeds, species astilbe are most often propagated. , varieties - only for breeding purposes. Independently by seeds to plant ungrateful business. Very often the features of the mother plant are lost. But if you really want, then of course, you can try.

Astilba seeds are very small. They start up quite well, but they do not always have time to mature, especially in the northern zone. If the seeds are still ripe, they are shaken out of inflorescences in September. And in March-April, they are sown superficially in boxes filled with a mixture of sphagnum peat and sand in a ratio of 3: 1.

Seed germination is low. The seedlings appear after 3-4 weeks, grow slowly and only at the end of the year form a small rosette of leaves. If astilbs do not crowd each other, it is better to replace them next spring. Plants grown from seed, bloom in the 3rd year.

It is very convenient to reproduce astilba kidneys. In early spring, a kidney is renewed with a part of the rhizome (method of reproduction with the "heel"). It is believed that up to 1/3 of the kidneys can be removed without harm to the mother liquor. Rooting is carried out in greenhouses. The substrate is used the same as for sowing. It is poured with a layer of 5-7 cm on ordinary fertile soil. On a permanent place astilby planted in the spring of next year. In the same year, the plants bloom. Perhaps, but difficult breeding green cuttings in early spring.

Reproduction astilbya division bush - This is the most familiar and reliable method of reproduction. Delenki are prepared so that each has 1-3 buds and rhizomes 3-5 cm long, preferably with adventitious roots. Experiments have shown that the size of the delenka is not significant.

The division is best done in early spring, then by autumn astilbes will bloom. You can replant at almost any time, subject to good watering for several days. Astilbees are well acclimatized during flowering, so it is very convenient to buy at this time, it gives us the opportunity not to choose the “cat in the bag”, namely, what we need.

With roki Astilbe blossoms

The most different - from the end of June to September. There are many varieties and you can choose a collection to admire almost all summer. And after flowering, the bushes still remain decorative, thanks to openwork foliage.

Peduncles with seed boxes also look neat, and some very beautiful, for example, in high varieties with lush thick panicles

How to care for astilba?

Astilba care is not complicated, because it has almost no diseases and pests. After flowering, flower stalks should be cut out, leaving only the above-ground part in winter. She will hold the snow and in the winter cold will serve as a kind of shelter. Although even in the North - West astilba winters well without any shelter. Early spring will have to remove the remnants of the old aboveground parts. However, you can do something else: cut to the ground the entire above-ground part in late autumn and pile up the bulging rhizome. Unleash the plant in the spring, of course, is not necessary.

Diseases and pests of astilbe

Astilba practically does not get sick. But sometimes she has problems. And if this happens, you need to know what to do.

Sometimes a slobbery penny, strawberry and gall nematode appears on the astilbe.

The larvae of the slobbery pennitsa live in their frothy secretions, which are located in the leaf axils. They feed on the leaves, weakening the growth and development of flower stalks. The easiest way to deal with pennitsa manually. But you can use insecticides (aktar, konfidor, karbofosom, rotor).

Strawberry nematode infects the buds and leaves. When astilba leaves are affected by strawberry nematodes, they become deformed, and yellowish or brown necrotic spots appear on them. Plants look depressed, their growth slows down. You can get rid of it only by completely destroying diseased plants.

The gall nematode lives in the roots, causing the formation of galls on them. Sick plants grow slowly, weakly bloom. If gall nematodes are suspected of damage, the astilbe bush must be excavated and its roots inspected. The presence of worms on the roots clearly shows formations from small outgrowths - galls, within which pests live.

Plants afflicted with nematodes must be rejected. New copies can not be planted in the same place. You can, of course, try fitoverm, but it does not always help.

Astilbe still sometimes suffer from viral and phytoplasmic diseases, here it is necessary to monitor the quality of the acquired planting material, to choose resistant varieties, since these diseases are not treated with chemicals. Try to buy our plants grown in Russia, the Netherlands often supplies infected.

So, today we learned a lot about astilbe

These are wonderful plants for your garden. They can be planted by monogroups near shrubs. Astilba single interspersions look especially elegant among plantings of decorative conifers. But astilby feel best in water or in semi-shady places.

The best partners of astilbe are shade-loving perennials with narrow or smooth and preferably large leaves that will make an excellent contrast with dissected astilba leaves. This host, lilies of the valley, lungwort, irises, late tulips.

But astilbe perfectly combined with other plants. These are bergenia, geykher, tiarella, some geraniums, for example, blood-red, phlox paniculata, many bells.

Primroses, doronicum, gravilat, iberis, bathing baths can grow near astilba. In the foreground, stunted perennials blooming in spring, such as various types of saxifrage, as well as grains, yasnotka, zhivuchka, navel, look spectacular in the spring. You can try to plant some types of stonecrop, for example, white, false.

You can create astilby borders. Beautiful and not a lot of worries.

Astilbe can be used not only to decorate the garden. The inflorescences of many varieties in the phase of full bloom are suitable for cutting, and the dried ones look great in winter bouquets.

Astilba is relevant in gardens of any style, it is applied both in single, and in group landings. Dwarf species - this is a real miniature decoration shady flower garden or a wet alpine area.

In floristics, astilbe is used to create high-quality deadwood. When dried, its inflorescences slightly change their color and become slightly paler, but despite this, they retain elegance and perfectly complement the dried flowers. Astilba is not suitable for cutting, because the plant will not last more than two days in a vase.

Flower growers appreciate astilba for its long, lush flowering, shade tolerance and resistance to high soil moisture.

A bushy bush with openwork leaves on reddish cuttings looks impressive not only during flowering, but also during the entire garden season.

Brief description of the plant

Astilbe (Astilbe) - herbaceous plant of the stone-heel family. The homeland of this decorative perennial can be considered Japan, East Asia and North America. The genus includes about 40 species and more than 400 varieties. Astilbe height varies from 15 to 200 cm. Flowers are gathered in panicle-shaped inflorescences 10-60 cm long. Coloring can be various: flowers of white, red, pink and violet shades are especially attractive. Large leaves form a laced shade of dark green, burgundy, bronze color. The fruit is a box with small seeds. Flowering time is June-August.

The right choice of place and time for landing will guarantee that the astilba will quickly take root.

Growing conditions

Astilbe don't need a lot of light for rapid growth. Best of all, she feels in a thin shadow. In such conditions, flowering will be long and abundant.

Although varieties with white and light pink flowers (Weiss Pearl, Gloria, Bergkrisstal and others) feel excellent in the sun. Flowering in this case is shorter, but twice as intense.

Astilba looks spectacular on a half-shaded, stony hills, in rabatki along lawns, on the shore. This plant will help to decorate the site with taste and revive even the darkest corners of your garden possessions.

Main varieties

David Astilbe (Astilbe davidii)

The plant with a shrub form of a bush reaches a height of 150 cm. The leaves are complex, wrinkled, light green in color and brownish veins. Lilac-pink flowers with a lowered axis. It blooms in July and August.

Choose a landing site

In the wild, astilba grows under the canopy of foliage near water bodies, therefore, the penumbra and moist soil is the best place to plant a plant.

Astilba feels good in the shade of trees and shrubs, but the shading should not be strong.

It should be noted that at present, astilbe varieties have appeared, allowing it to be planted in sunny areas, subject to abundant watering and careful mulching of the soil in order to preserve moisture. The flowering is abundant, but non-durable.

Choose a landing time

For the landing of astilbe, the end of March - the beginning of May or the beginning of autumn will do.

Set the stage

Astilbe grows well in moist and light soil.

A bed of about a meter long must be dug up to a depth of no more than 30 cm, after which two handfuls of bone meal and approximately 30 grams of complex fertilizers should be added to the soil.

Removing the remnants of weed roots and adding peat, humus or compost to the soil is the final step in preparing the bed for planting.

Now that the soil is ready, you can go directly to planting the plant. The rules for planting astilba vary depending on the material to be used for planting.

The name Astilba means “very brilliant”, derived from the Greek words “a” - very “stilbe” - brilliant.

First, consider a method suitable for florists who enjoy particular pleasure by watching a luxurious shrub grow from a small seed. The most favorable time for planting seedlings - mid-March - early April

Read about behind shrubs.

Want to learn more about the popular Forchun Euonymus? To you.

Step-by-step instructions for planting astilbe seeds

To improve seed germination, place them in a place with a temperature of -4 ° to + 4 °, and after twenty days, transfer them to a warm, bright room with a temperature above 18 °.
Fill the containers for planting with a mixture of peat and sand in a ratio of 3: 1.
Considering that astilba seeds are tiny, they need to be mixed with sand before planting in the soil.
Distribute seeds evenly and gently over the soil surface.
Using a spray bottle, thoroughly water the seeds.
Do not allow the soil to dry for 3-4 weeks.
Saplings should be soped after the appearance of the first leaf:
remove each seedling from the soil; pinch back one third of the length;
Plant the sprout in a separate container with carefully moistened soil.
In early June, plant seedlings in the ground.

If you intend to plant a ready-made seedling obtained from an adult plant, the following method of planting astilbe will be useful to you.

Planting a divided bush

It is advisable to mulch the soil around the bush after planting.

This method is very popular among fans of ornamental plants.

For planting, a part of an adult astilba bush with 1-3 buds and a root length of 3 to 5 cm is used.

Planting a plant in spring will allow observing the lush flowering of a new bush in the autumn of the same year.

For planting seedlings stands a bed of one meter in length, in which holes are formed with a depth and width of approximately 20-30 cm, at a distance of approximately 25-35 cm from each other. In each of them, a mixture of 25-30 grams of mineral fertilizers and 1-2 handfuls of bone meal with ash is poured. All this is mixed and filled with water. Place for planting astilbe ready. It will only be necessary to cover the planted bush with a layer of mulch consisting of needles, bark, foliage or sawdust.

This method of astilba transplantation allows you to plant it even during the flowering period, subject to abundant and regular watering for two to three weeks.

Experienced gardeners use another planting method.

Planting cuttings with the "heel"

In early spring, a renewed kidney is cut out of the bush, representing the kidney of a wintered plant, from which the shoot began to develop, along with a piece of the root. This part of the rhizome is called the "heel".

Such cuttings are planted in greenhouses, using a mixture for fertilizer, made in the same way as when planting in the ground. This substrate is poured on the soil with a layer height of 5-7 cm.

For planting astilba on the garden will have to wait a whole year, but flowering will begin within a few months after planting.

Transfer

At the age of five years, astilba needs a transplant, which is performed in spring or early autumn.

Transplantation can be done without digging up the plant completely: it is enough to separate part of it, fill it with ashes and add fresh soil to the hole, and transplant the resulting seedling to a new place. After such a separation, astilba will please with its flowering the very next year.

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Care

In order for a planted plant to remain healthy for as long as possible and to delight in its lush flowering, it is necessary to provide it with proper care. Care of astilba includes a number of actions that take into account the characteristic features of the plant.

Watering

Astilbe roots grow up, releasing young roots, so that it is very important to prevent moisture loss in the upper soil layer.

On hot days it is necessary to water the plant twice a day: in the morning and evening hours, accompanying the watering with mulching of the soil, which will prevent the soil from drying out. Insufficient soil moisture threatens the death of young plants and is the cause of the appearance of faded, twisted leaves and inflorescences grinding in adults. On the other hand, abundant watering in August-September contributes to the elongation of the inflorescences.

Top dressing

To preserve the lush and prolonged flowering, it is necessary to feed the astilba twice a year.

The first is carried out with the appearance of young shoots in early spring. Suitable complex fertilizers with a high nitrogen content.

The next feeding turn comes in the fall, after the astilba has faded. At this time, preference is given to phosphorus and potassium compounds, mainly in liquid form, in order to avoid burns on the stem. After feeding, the soil needs to be loosened and mulched.

Pruning

Pruning astilby, during which the aboveground part of the plant is cut at ground level, is done in late autumn.

After flowering, you can cut off all the flowering inflorescences, whose place will soon take new leaves.

Preparing for the winter

Astilba will tolerate the most severe frosts, if you remember that the roots growing up plants come to the soil. Mulching will help to save bare roots from freezing. In late autumn, fill in the gaps between the bushes with needles or sawdust and cover the bush with two layers of fir branches or bark.

Pest and disease protection

Penny slobbering

Astilba is sufficiently resistant to diseases and pests.

But it happens that she suffers from a slobbery penny and a pair of nematodes: strawberry and gall.

Pennitsaaffects the foliage, causing the leaves to turn yellow and curl, and the plant begins to fade.

Cicadasliving in saliva-like formations, suck leaf tissue. In addition, they are known as carriers of phytoplasma and viral diseases. In the fight against them are used karbofos, mospilan, aktar, roger and confidor.

Affects the foliage and strawberry nematode, the effect of which is the deformation of the leaves and brown and yellow spots on them. All this has a depressing effect on the plant, and its growth slows down.

Gallic nematode harms the roots, dwelling in the growths formed on them. Sick astilbs grow poorly and bloom, and die of severe damage. You can stop the spread of pests by destroying the infected plant or using the fitoderm drug.

Photo astilba

A selection of photos of this beautiful plant, some varieties are marked.

Astilba is a representative of the perennial genus belonging to the family Saxifragaceae (Stone-grinding) and uniting more than 30 species. The name of the plant can be literally translated as “without shine” (“a” - without, “stilbe” - shine). This name got the flower from Lord Hamilton - Scottish botanist, who, studying and describing the plant, noted the lack of gloss of inflorescences and leaves.

Under natural conditions, the plant grows along the banks of streams and rivers, in deciduous forests and in other places where moisture always remains in summer. It is distributed under natural conditions in North America, East Asia and Japan.

Two species can be found on the territory of Russia - in the Far East and on the island of Kunashir. Astilba is distinguished by good frost resistance and in Canada it remains under a layer of snow at temperatures up to 37 degrees below zero.

General information

Astilbe is a herbaceous perennial with an aerial part that dies off in winter. The height of erect stems can vary from 8 centimeters to 2 meters. Leaves are basal, on long petioles. May occasionally be simple, but in most species it is double- or triply-pinnate with a jagged edge. The leaf color is dark green or reddish green.

The flowers of the plant are small, gathered in the apical lush inflorescences-panicles, because of which they have a very attractive appearance. The flowers are white, lilac, cream, pink, purple or red. Astilbe blooms in June-July and the duration of its “openwork” delicate flowering is 25-35 days.

The plant has a woody, dense or loose rhizome, depending on the species. Each year, the upper part of the rhizome forms daughter buds, while the lower part gradually dies. Since there is a vertical growth of rhizome (an increase of approximately 3-5 centimeters per year), the plant should be poured with fertile soil every year in late autumn.

Astilba varieties and types

Panicle inflorescences can be rhombic, pyramidal, drooping and paniculate. The petals of the flowers may be short and the inflorescences look delicate and airy, and are elongated, giving the inflorescences softness and fluffiness.

Some varieties are distinguished by their special beauty, having a combination of several colors or shades in the inflorescence. These are Montgomery, Peach and Cream and White Wings.

Depending on the structure of the inflorescences, there are several groups of astilbe:

Pyramidal shape - lateral branches of inflorescences move away from the main axis almost at a right angle, while they evenly decrease from the lower to the upper.

Rhombic shape - side branches at an acute angle depart from the main axis, and the inflorescence itself resembles a rhombus. This form of inflorescence occurs most often in Japanese astilbe.

Panicle shape - at an acute angle a large number of branched branches depart from the main axis, which evenly decrease towards the top. These inflorescences most often adorn the varieties of astilba Arends.

Drooping forms - Inflorescences have flexible drooping branches. This form is characteristic of varieties derived from astilb Lemoine and Thunberg.

Depending on the flowering period, there are:

Early - Astilbe begin to bloom in late June - early July.
Average - blooming in July.
Late - delight with their flowers in August.

Astilbes are classified according to the height of the plant:

Low - Astilbe, height from 15 to 60 centimeters.
Average - bushes have "growth" from 60 to 80 centimeters.
High - plants with a height of 80 centimeters to 2 meters.

One of the smallest representatives of astilb is the variety “Lilliput”, having a height of only 15 centimeters, and the highest height growing to 2 meters is David's astilba.

Only 10 species are grown in culture. However, the breeders did a great job of breeding hybrids, which now have a large number.

Astilba refers to plants that, despite their beauty, are very easy to maintain, and has characteristics such as winter hardiness, shade tolerance and resistance to diseases and pests.

Astilba landing and leaving in an open ground

Astilba prefers places in the penumbra or shading for the period of especially hot day sun. Scientists, having worked on the cultivation of new varieties and hybrids of astilbe, helped to “forget” about the conditions of growth in the wild environment and now many varieties grow well in the open sun. Only flowering in this case is more abundant and shorter, and the leaves become lighter.

When choosing a place for future growth of astilbe in open ground, it is important to consider the timing of its flowering. Early and late varieties do not matter where to grow - in the sun or in the shade, but astilbe, blooming in July, can harm the hot sun, shortening its flowering period.

Astilba is a moisture-loving plant. It can grow even in places with stagnant water, but will not survive drought. In conditions of hot summer and drought, astilba may die, so in such cases it is watered in the morning and evening every day until it rains.

Still, in order to protect the upper part of the rhizome from overheating and to reduce the loss of moisture, it is recommended to mulch the plants with bark or chips. In addition, the mulch prevents the growth of weeds, helps to preserve the friability of the soil and creates excellent conditions for the rhizomes of astilbe during the winter period.

Mulch astilba in flower beds should be immediately after planting. Pour a 5-inch layer of mulch, covering the entire surface of the soil around the plants.

There are varieties of astilbe, which can grow in dry soils. And most Chinese hybrids feel great on clayy heavy soils.

Planting and than fertilize astilba in spring

An important condition for the development and growth of astilbe is a sufficient amount of potassium and phosphorus in the soil. So, in transverse grooves, 1 meter long, 1-2 piles of bone meal and 25 grams of complex fertilizer are poured into the plant breeding beds.

When planting plants in a flower garden, they dig pits about 30 centimeters deep and wide, in which they also pour 2 handfuls of ash and bone meal, 30 grams of mineral fertilizers and humus, all mixed and sprinkled with water. Then plants are planted and covered with a 3-inch layer of mulch.

Astilbe grow quite quickly and it is necessary to separate and replace them every 3-5 years. Due to the fact that the astilbe rhizomes grow vertically upward, the old bushes begin to bulge out of the ground and the young roots, which are located at the base of the buds, are almost above the ground, start to dry out.

At the same time flowering becomes less quality and not so long, and inflorescences are reduced in size. If you constantly carry out fertilization of the soil, astilby can grow in one place up to 20 years.

Fertilizing is carried out in early spring with nitrogen fertilizers, and after completion of flowering or in the fall, potassium and phosphorus are introduced, 20 grams per plant. At the same time the soil is slightly loosened and mulched.

Astilba transplant in spring

Astilbe can be transplanted at any time of the year, even during flowering. After transplantation, it is necessary to produce daily abundant watering for two weeks.

When planting in a flower garden, the distance between plants should be at least 30 centimeters, and in the case of planting high varieties - 50 centimeters. When forming a border of astilb, the distance between the bushes remains the same - 30-50 centimeters.

Before planting, they dig up a plot, remove weeds and other plants, and fertilize a flower bed with humus or peat, in the amount of 2 buckets of fertilizer per 1 square meter of flower garden.

As mentioned earlier, before planting, ash, bone meal and fertilizer are poured into each hole, they are watered and the plant is planted in such a way as to cover a growth kidney with a layer of earth at least 5 centimeters. The earth around the bush is compacted and mulched with peat or bark.

During the growing season, the astilbe is irrigated as necessary, removing weeds, loosening the soil and applying fertilizer. Before winter, the plant stems are cut flush with the ground and the area is mulched.

Astilba seed growing

Seed propagation, this method can be used for species reproduction. This is due to the fact that astilba seedlings can save the features of the mother plant only partially or not at all. Seedlings grown from varietal seeds are used for breeding.

Astilbe seed size is very small and they do not always have time to ripen. If you are lucky to wait for aging, then they are shaken out of the inflorescences in September and stored until spring. In March, sphagnum peat and sand are placed in a wide box or other container, the ratio is 3: 1, snow is poured in from above, in a layer of 1 centimeter.

If there is no snow on the street, you can use the snow from the freezer or just pour water on the substrate. Seeds are sown on top of the snow. The snow thaws, moisturizes the soil and helps the seeds to sink into it. After the snow has completely melted, the container is placed in a plastic bag and placed for about 20 days in a refrigerator or other cold enough place for stratification.

As soon as shoots appear, the container with them is rearranged to a bright place with air temperature from 18 to 22 degrees Celsius. Young plants are watered very carefully under the root. Some growers even recommend watering with a syringe - injecting water directly into the substrate under the plant.

Astilba seed germination is low, and the seedlings that have appeared grow very slowly and only by the end of the year form a small rosette of leaves. If young plants do not grow closely together, then their dive can be done next spring.

If the seedlings rose thickly, then the dive is carried out when they appear 3-4 leaves. Astilba, grown from seeds, blooms only in the 3rd year of its existence.

Reproduction astilbe kidney renewal

To implement this method, in early spring, a bud is cut from the bush, renewed along with part of the rhizome. No more than 1/3 of the buds can be separated from one mother plant without harming it.

Rooting is carried out in greenhouses in the substrate, consisting of 3 parts of sphagnum moss and one part of sand, which is poured in a layer of 7 centimeters, on top of ordinary fertile soil. Planted in the garden such astilby can only next spring.

Astilba breeding division bush

The division of the bush - the easiest and most convenient way of reproduction astilbe. The best time for this procedure is early spring. In this case, the newly formed bushes still have time to bloom in the summer of this year.

The shrub is divided in such a way that each delenka receives 1-3 buds and remains with a rhizome 5 centimeters long with adventitious roots. The size of the educated delenka does not matter. Both small and large parts of the bush are equally well tolerated. Old rhizomes are removed during the partition.

It is possible to separate astilba bushes during the flowering period. In this case, you will not be mistaken with the choice of a plant when buying and you will get exactly the sort that you like.

Astilb and pest diseases

Astilbe is weakly affected by diseases and pests. Occasionally, the plant is susceptible to "attacks" of a slobbery pennitsa, gallic and strawberry nematodes. Pennitsa settles in the axils of the leaves, forming a frothy discharge in which its larvae live. These larvae feed on the leaves of the plant, which at the same time strongly frown and become covered with yellow spots.

As a result of this process, the plant begins to fade and may disappear completely. You can fight with a slobbery pennitsa manually, or you can with the help of astilba treatment with special preparations.

The gall nematode strikes the roots, forming galls — growths with nematodes inside. They become noticeable only in the second period of the growing season. The plants stop growing and bloom very badly. The method of struggle - the removal of infected roots or plants completely.

Strawberry nematode affects the leaves, buds and flowers of astilba, while they are covered with brown and yellow necrotic spots and deform. The plant does not grow and begins to die. The only way to combat this nematode is the complete destruction of infected plants.

Astilba in landscape design

Astilba is a great plant for decorating flower beds and parks. Small groups of flowering plants look impressive against the background of green bushes. An excellent solution would be to land an astilba near a garden pond or on a rocky hill in shady places.

Astilba is well combined with plants that have large smooth leaves that make up a bright contrast with its openwork cut leaves. These plants include hosts, irises, Badan, tulips and others. To the fore in front of higher astilbe varieties, it is good to plant not high perennials that bloom in the spring, for example, saxifrage, survivor, yasnotka and navel. Borders created from astilb look beautiful too.

Since there are varieties with different periods of flowering, you can choose a combination of them in such a way that the astilb openwork inflorescences will delight with their flowering throughout the summer. They also practice planting plants in groups, with different colors of flowers in one.

Astilba flowers are used for cutting. Although they are not cut off for long, they add bright colors to the interior and fill the room with a light honey aroma. It is also possible to use dried astilba inflorescences in winter bouquets.

At the end of flowering, the bushes look just as decorative, thanks to the beautiful and exquisite foliage. Peduncles, even with seed boxes, look very attractive, so it is not recommended to cut them until autumn. And some flower growers leave them for the winter to revive the snowy landscape.

Astilbe found its application for medical purposes. So, in antiquity, the Chinese used the leaves and roots of a plant as a tonic, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic agent for kidney and skin diseases. And seasoning for meat from astilba leaves is still used in Japan.

Distillation of astilbe

Astilba is a good plant for forcing. Early flowering, undersized varieties are best suited for this purpose. The most commonly used varieties of the Japanese hybrid astilbe, which grows a compact small bush.

For forcing take young seedlings obtained by reproduction of renewal by the kidneys, which have at least 6 buds. Plants that were obtained by dividing old bushes are unsuitable for this purpose. Selected astilbe planted in the fall in pots and placed them in a cold place, covered with peat or spruce.

At the beginning of winter, the plants are brought into rooms where the air temperature is 10-14 degrees. As soon as the leaves begin to bloom, the temperature must be raised to 16-18 degrees and begin abundant watering and spraying. Spraying is stopped when the first florets appear, which can be expected 10-14 weeks after the start of the forcing.

If you move astilba to a warmer place in February-March, then you can expect a more rapid flowering. Recommended varieties for forcing are Peach Blossom, Bonn, Europe, Emdem, Cologne and Deutschland. Distillation of astilbe is especially popular among German and Dutch gardeners. These plants adorn office and public spaces.

Is it not because of this that in the summer we are striving to the country house, because the mythical fairy-tale world of ornamental plants is madly attracting us? Among them stands astilba - the bright queen of the shady garden, who, as if mesmerizing with her colorful lush Christmas trees, and makes you sincerely wait for the magic. Without this plant it is difficult to imagine any garden. It looks very picturesque in the spring, when lacy leaves appear in various shades, and during the colorful summer flowering, and after it in the fall, keeping shiny beautiful leaves until the very end of the season. It has a unique, as if honey, aroma.

Astilba is one of the most unpretentious plants that can survive in the most severe conditions. Therefore, it is often called a plant for novice gardeners.

Types and grades of astilbe

The most popular astilbe types and varieties can be grouped into the following:

Arendsa (Amethyst, Broutschleier, Fainel, White and Weiss, Gloria, Gloria Purpurea , Color Flash, Color Flash Lime, Eric);
Chinese (Series Vision, Hip Hop, Veronica Close, Superba);
Thunberg (Straussenfeder);
Japanese (Montgomery, Bronzelaub);
Curly (Liliput, Perkeo, Moulin Rouge).

As for the choice of the height of astilba, then if you want to plant a shrub to the background of a flower bed or to the fence, then it is better to choose a variety higher. For example, grade Amethyst - the perfect choice.

Amethyst

If astilbe is needed for a mini-garden, then miniature (dwarf, groundcover) varieties will suit you, for example, Liliput or Perkeo.

Liliput

When designing a flower bed, it is important to take into account the shape of the inflorescences. It is also very diverse in astilbe, for example, in variety Aphrodite and Ericaflowers are very airy and rhombic.

Erika

And the series Visionon the contrary, the flowers are very dense and powerful.

Vision In Pink

At grade Gloria Purpurea- big and fluffy.

Gloria Purpurea

Very original inflorescences in variety Straussenfeder - similar to large and drooping ostrich feathers.

Straussenfeder

Video: Astilbe species and varieties

Astilba breeding methods

Astilba can be propagated in several ways:

seeds (for the species);
the division of the bush (for the variety);
kidney renewal with part of the rhizomes (for variety).

Reminder!In the garden shop you can purchase seeds and rhizomes with renewed buds. You can multiply by dividing the bush after you grow astilbe from seeds or rhizomes, or your neighbor will share with you.

Growing astilbe from seeds

Planting astilba seeds is easy enough, but growing is not so easy. First, the seeds must necessarily undergo stratification, in other words, the capacity with the crops will need to be removed in the refrigerator for 3 weeks. Put on the stratification is still in January.

For sowing, you will need loose soil mixture (for example, peat and sand in equal shares), over which astilba seeds, which are very small, must be evenly distributed, so you will have to use a slightly moistened clove for planting. At the end of the crops should be slightly sprinkled from the sprayer with cold water (with the addition of biohumus for seedlings). And then cover with a plastic bag or film (shoe cover) and put in the refrigerator.

Tip!Experienced flower growers recommend sprinkling crops with a small layer of snow (1 centimeter) instead of spraying with cold water. And when it has already melted, then put the crops in the refrigerator.

In February and March (and depending on when you sowed the seeds), the seeds that have been crooked are already buried in the ground and put the containers in a bright and warm place, where the temperature is about + 18-20 degrees. As a rule, shoots appear in 2-3 weeks. Then they take care of them, as they do for ordinary seedlings of flowers, in other words, they water and highlight them up to the optimal 12 hour light day. In order not to dive, it is better to immediately sow in individual containers. In May, planted in open ground.

Worth knowing!Astilba, grown from seed, will bloom only in the 2nd or 3rd year!

Video: sowing astilba seed for seedlings

Usually, using dividing the bush transplantation of overgrown astilbe, which should be done at least once every 5 years. To divide the bush should be so that each delenka had from 3 to 5 renewal buds. Astilba can be transplanted in this way either in spring (preferably early), or at the end of summer (in August) or early autumn. Moreover, it is optimal to seat at a distance of at least 30-40 centimeters between the bushes.

The most popular way is reproduction. kidney renewaland part rhizomes. It is about this method that will be discussed further.

How to keep astilba at home before landing in the ground

If you bought a sleeping plant, you can perfectly keep it in the refrigerator right up to the landing in open ground.

If you see that the growth buds have woken up, that is, the growth process has been started, the plant should be placed in a pot with earth as soon as possible, otherwise it simply has nowhere to take nutrients. Astilba's rhizomes are not designed for long-term storage, so if they start to dry out, then from these roots you can hardly grow a healthy plant.

Container and soil

Advance should take care of the acquisition of the necessary capacity for landing. It is good to plant astilba in plastic buckets with a volume of about 1 liter. In such a container is very convenient to monitor the condition of the roots of plants and the soil moisture.

As for the soil, it is best to use a universal soil for flowers, in which add some vermiculite to improve the properties of the soil and maintain air-water balance.

By the way! It is optional to plant in soil, it is possible to plant and in a coconut substrate. Its distinguishing characteristic is that there is a lot of air in it, which means that the roots, which in February-March, as a rule, are not in very good condition, will receive good development.

Planting in a pot

Step-by-step instructions for planting astilba in a pot to keep the plant at home:

No more disturbing the plant is necessary, only watering as soon as the soil dries. Feeding at this stage is not required.

It remains only to put the container with astilbe seedling in a bright and cool room, where the air temperature is kept within + 15-18 degrees.

Video: how to plant astilba, which you bought early and want to save before landing in the ground

Planting astilba in open ground

Landing dates

Landing dates vary depending on where you live. As always, the inhabitants of the Middle Belt (Moscow region) begin to plant earlier than the gardeners of the Urals and Siberia, but much later than the southern regions.

Astilbe in open ground, as a rule, planted no earlier than May, when the earth warms up sufficiently. And it does not matter whether you plant rhizomes with renewed buds or plant seedlings.

In general, astilbe can be planted both in spring and autumn, and even in summer, if, of course, the weather is not very hot. It all depends on when you can get planting material.

Place and soil on the plot

To astilba pleased you with its lush flowering, you need to find the optimal place on the site for its disembarkation.

Astilba can grow both in the shade and in the sun. But still this plant likes to grow in partial shade on loose and wet soils. Optimal plant the plant in the soil with a predominant content of clay and a significant amount of sand, in other words, in loam.

As for a specific place, then if you have a small reservoir on the site, then plant it nearby. If not, then a landing site on the north side of the house, as well as shady places near trees and shrubs, will be perfect for landing.

By the way!To accurately determine the place for planting astilbe, you should pay attention to the flowering period of a particular plant variety. For example, early and late flowering can successfully grow both in the shade and under the scorching sun. But srednetsvetuschie (still they are called July) is desirable to plant in more shady areas. If you want to extend the period of flowering varieties with white and pink flowers, it is desirable to also plant them in partial shade.

Direct landing in the garden

For astilba landing in open ground should prepare in advance the planting hole, making it a depth of about 20-30 centimeters. A little bit of wood ash, compost, or humus should be brought into the ground for planting, and then mix all this very thoroughly and pour in plenty. Next, plant a sapling, sprinkle it with earth, and then mix it up to better preserve moisture with a layer of about 3-5 centimeters. Peat, tree bark, sawdust or the same straw can be used as mulch.

By the way! Although this plant is not very prone to soil, but planting it in a pre-fertilized place, you will not need to feed it for some time. However, it will grow much better, and hence the flowering will be more magnificent and brighter.

As for the astilba landing scheme, the high varieties are planted at a distance of about 0.5 meters, and low ones are about 0.2-0.3 meters.

Care for astilba outdoors

Astilba care is regular watering depending on the weather and timely hilling. The latter is required due to the fact that the roots of the plant are constantly growing up, while their lower part dies with time.

Astilba loves moisture, so do not forget about watering and try to prevent the soil from drying out, especially in hot late spring and summer periods of time. If the weather is dry and the sun is frying simply sizzling, then it is recommended to water at least 1, and preferably even 2 times a day.

Top dressing

Astilba fertilizing is done in spring, in summer - before and after flowering, as well as in autumn.

Note! Before making the plant, the plant should be watered beforehand. If it was raining earlier, then additional moisture will not be required.

Spring feeding is performed using nitrogen fertilizers to increase the green mass of the plant. For example, you can make a little bit of humus in the ground, for example, during its hilling. Or it is great to use for this purpose a mullein infusion.

In the summer before flowering, the plant requires potassium supplementation. For this, potassium nitrate, 1 tbsp. l which needs to be dissolved in 5 liters of water. The consumption rate is about 0.5 liters per bush.

In late summer, after flowering the bush requires phosphate fertilizer. To do this, you can perform a dry dressing with superphosphate: about 1 tbsp. spoon on 1 bush. But it is better to use exclusively phosphorus-potassium fertilizers, they are intended to improve the winter resistance of the plant.

Tip!After the completion of any of the dressings, the soil around the shrub should be properly loosened and thrown with mulch.

Care in the fall and preparing for winter

If you have already succumbed to the openwork charm of fluffy astilbe, let it occupy its niche in your flower bed in your own garden! And how and when it is properly planted and properly maintained, you are already aware.

Video: astilba - growing, care and reproduction

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