Astilbe

How to grow Astilbe plant – growing conditions and care:

Cold climate, mulch, in warm summer area better to plant them in the coldest point and in the shade, rich soil and organic matter it keep the soil moist, organic matter mixed with lighter soil for drainage for example coco soil

How to care:
Put fertilizer one a year before blooming season add organic matter, winter care in hardiness zone 4-6 better to put mulch in order to protect the plant

What is the best way to start growing?
Plant / Seed (sowing explanation bellow) / Vegetative reproduction

Is it necessary to use vegetative reproduction?
No, possible but to grow from seeds it’s easy and might die in the transplant, better to transfer the plant in the autumn or early spring

Difficulties or problems when growing:
Sensitive to transplant

Planting season – when to plant:
Spring, summer (be aware that better not in hot days, check temperature for the next week before plant it), also possible to plant it in the autumn to the winter, but need to be fully growing plants, when start from seeds better to sow them direct in the soil in the early spring or even in the winter, seeds need before sowing burying (chilling hours)

When to transplant:
Better to transplant in winter

How to transplant:
Need to take all the roots and the soil around the plant

Pests and diseases:
Thrips, aphids, leaf spot

Pruning season:
Winter

How to prune:
Dead flower and for design

Size of the plant?
20-60 cm, 8-24 inches

Growth speed in optimal condition:
Fast growing / medium growing

Water requirement:
Average amount of water / big amount of water, the plants require big amount of water but it doesn’t wet soil or puddle, the plant need good drained, if the drainage not good put less water don’t let the water stand, and better to water it few time a day and then you can use less water and the soil can absorb and use better in water

Light conditions in optimal condition for growing:
Half Shade, be aware that in area with hot summer the plant might be burn in the sun and even die / Full Shade

Is it possible to grow as houseplant?
Yes

Growing is also possible in a planter /flowerpot / containers:
Yes, need to switch every few years the soil, (when the soil doesn’t absorb the water well), this plant is sensitive to standing water need to make holes in the bottom of pots in order to allow excess water to flow out, if the water standing in the pot make more holes and check the soil viability.

Flowering information

Bloom season:
Spring / Summer / Autumn

General information about the flower:
Fragrant flowers color can be: red, white, pink, purple, yellow or orange, the leaves small growing in inflorescence, in cones shape.

How to grow Astilbe plant from seed
Sowing requirement:
when start from seeds better to sow them direct in the soil in the early spring or even in the winter, seeds need before sowing burying (chilling hours), moist soil, half shade to full shade

Saving seeds and care until sowing:
Dry location and in refrigerator, before sowing need burring

Sowing season:
Spring / Summer in hot day will do problem of the germination

Planting spacing:
30*40cm, 12*16 inches

Depth of Sowing:
1cm, (0.5inches)

Conditions for seeds germinate:
Moist soil, humidity

Watering requires for Seeds:
Average amount of water, don’t over water and don’t let it dry

Germination time:
2-6 weeks

Condition of seedling:
Moist soil, rich soil, mulch, if in the summer full shade

Do the seeds require burying?
Yes

Chilling hour’s requirements:
1-2 month

Varieties

Burgundy red (also known as Astilbe x arendsii Burgundy red) – Leaves color is deep red to burgundy, when mature the plant can reach 50 to 60cm (20 to 24 inches) height with a spread of 45 to 60cm (18 to 24 inches).

Fireberry – When mature the plant can reach 30 to 45cm (12 to 18 inches) height with a spread of 40 to 55cm (16 to 22 inches), flowers bloom from early to mid-summer, flowers color is deep pink, leaves color is medium green.

Showstar – When mature the plant can reach 30 to 60cm (12 to 24 inches) height with a spread up to 45cm (18 inches), flowering months are in summer, flower color is red, pink, white or lilac, foliage color is golden in the spring and dark green in the summer.

Ice cream – Foliage color is dark green, flowers color is light pink to lilac plums, when mature the plant can reach 60 to75cm (24 to 30 inches) height with a spread up to 45 to 60cm (18 to 24 inches).

Scientific name:

Astilbe