The Astilbe plant is a perennial with fern-like leaves, and colorful, hairy flowers. Astilbees vary in height, ranging from 15 cm to 1.5 m, so it is important that you choose the type that suits your garden needs. New plants usually always grow from root division, not from seed, and both new and established plants do well in fully moist conditions.
Step
Part 1 of 4: Preparing to Plant
Step 1. Make sure you are in the right growing environment
Astilbe is a plant that comes from North America and Europe, in northern areas where the air is cool and wet. This plant grows best in these areas, although it can grow a little closer to the equator as long as it is provided with shade and water. If you live in an area where temperatures are high all year round or there is little rain, you may not be able to grow astilbe. Talk to nursery workers for detailed information about specific growing conditions in your area.
Step 2. Decide how to plant
Astilbe can be grown in three ways: from seed, tuber, and division (such as cuttings). While all three options can work, plant enthusiasts tend to prefer using division over the other two. Astilbe seeds are difficult to plant and rot easily before sprouting, and tubers take longer and do not produce as much color as division. Astilbe grows in the form of clumps that have a separate root system called 'division' or clumps. These clumps can (and should) be pulled apart and planted to produce large new plants.
You can buy full clumps or plants from your local plant store, or you can divide existing astilbe plants
Step 3. Know when to plant
Plant Astilbe in spring or fall. Most Astilbe plants are planted directly in the garden during mid-spring, after the threat of frost has passed. Flowers usually bloom in June to early July. Astilbe can also be planted in early to mid-fall, after the harsh summer heat, and will usually flower the following year.
Step 4. Choose a location
Astilbe plants can grow in full or partial shade; hot, dry soil in full sun is the worst condition for Astilbe plants. Therefore, find a place in your garden that is shaded at least a few times a day, but don't be afraid to choose an area that is full of shade (such as under a shady tree). Make sure the site has good drainage, although astilbes like lots of water, they don't like being submerged in standing water.
Step 5. Treat the soil
This flowering plant prefers loamy soil, soil that is loose but can retain moisture. Mix the humus or peat with the soil in which to plant, by digging a few handfuls of soil with a garden rake or spade. If you choose a site with poor drainage, mix in sand and perlite to help the excess water drain out of the planting area.
Part 2 of 4: Dividing Astilbe Plants
Step 1. Choose a plant
Choose Astilbe that is several years old, as Astilbe plants will have large, lumpy roots after a few years of growing. Astilbe is available in several attractive colors including white, red, pink, peach, and purple. Remove the plant from the soil or from its growing container.
Step 2. Divide Astilbe
Cut off most of the roots from the plant using clean gardening shears. Choose a piece with a “crown” or heart. The crown will look like it's dry, but a slightly unsettled crown will last.
Step 3. Soak the roots
Soak in a bucket of warm water for a few hours or overnight. Soaking the roots encourages them to grow on their own.
Part 3 of 4: Growing Astilbe Plants
Step 1. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root clump
The hole should be wide enough to prevent damage to the roots when you plant. By making the hole wide, you're also making sure that the soil directly surrounding the roots isn't too dense, so it's easier for the roots to spread out. In addition, apart from being twice as wide as the root clump, the depth of the hole should be 10 to 15 cm.
Step 2. Place one clump into the hole
The roots should be below the soil surface, and the crown should be 2.5 to 5 cm below the soil surface as well.
Step 3. Fill the hole again with soil
Fill the hole with the soil you dug from the same place. The soil should be as clayey as the soil around it. Make sure the roots are completely covered and compact the soil down to remove any air gaps.
Step 4. Leave a gap of 30 cm to 1 m between one clump and another
When planting several clumps of Astilbe at once, the holes should be spaced enough to allow the roots to have room to develop.
Step 5. Water the clump thoroughly
Immediately after planting the root clump in the soil, you should thoroughly water the soil with a garden hose or watering bucket. New plants absorb a lot of water before sprouting and producing flowers, you if the roots are allowed to dry at that time, the growth process may be disrupted.
Part 4 of 4: Caring for Your Astilbe Plants
Step 1. Water the Astilbe regularly
In areas that often rain, watering may not be necessary. For areas that may experience no rain for a few days to a few weeks, watering is definitely necessary. Check soil conditions regularly. If the surface feels dry, you should water the soil with plenty of water. Don't let the roots dry for too long, even after the plant is established.
Instead of watering a little every day, it's better to water a lot every few days
Step 2. Apply fertilizer at least twice each season
Give the plant a nutrient-dense, slow-acting fertilizer in early spring, and add additional doses six to eight weeks later. You can use an all-purpose fertilizer consisting of an equal mixture of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, or you can choose a fertilizer that contains higher levels of nitrogen and phosphorus. Phosphorus helps root and flower development, while nitrogen helps grow full, fresh foliage.
Note that you must apply fertilizer when the soil is wet. Fertilizer should be applied in the morning or evening, when the air temperature is cool. Following both times will prevent the fertilizer from burning your plants
Step 3. Place a layer of humus around the plant
Use wood chips or another type of humus that retains moisture well. Spreading a thick layer of humus at the base of the plant helps keep the soil moist and also acts as a weed controller. In addition, decaying humus will add more nutrients to the surrounding soil.
Step 4. Bury the crown when it comes to ground
The plant spreads quickly, and as it spreads, large clumps of roots form. This root clump crown tends to rise above the soil surface. You should cover the crown with loamy soil to prevent the roots from drying out.
Step 5. Use pesticides only when needed
Insects and diseases that commonly attack Astilbe plants include tarnished plant beetles, powdery mildew (powdery mildew), and bacterial leaf spots. However, these plants are usually not susceptible to pests. If the above problems arise, you can use insecticides or fungicides. However, using pesticides for prevention is not recommended.
Step 6. Divide the clumps every few years
Each spring, you can remove a clump of Astilbe roots to prevent the roots from suffocating each other. You can replant the astilbe clump to produce new plants, give it to friends who enjoy gardening, or throw it away.
Tips
Among the Astilbe plant species, fanal, irrlich, and Venus are the most beautiful ones. Fanal astilbe has dark green leaves and dark red flowers. The Irrlicht type has dark green leaves and white flowers. The Venus type has bright green leaves and bright pink flowers
Things You Need
- Established Astilbe Plants
- garden scissors
- bucket of water
- Humus or peat
- garden shovel
- Garden hose or watering can
- Fertilizer
- Pesticides (as needed)
