Astilba plant: description

The astilba plant is a perennial of the Saxifrage family, found naturally in North America and East Asia. This ornamental plant has lush foliage. Its inflorescences are large and have a paniculate shape. Their color range varies from snow-white and pale pink to rich carmine. Most of the varieties are known for their delicate aroma. There are both tall bushes - about 1 m, and barely reaching 40 cm.The stems of the plant are durable and do not need a garter. Domestic gardeners appreciate this beautiful perennial for the duration of the flowering period - from early July to late August. Astilba does not require transplantation for 5 years.

What are the varieties of the astilba plant

About 40 species and about 400 varieties of this plant are known, including the bright Ardens astilbe, which stands out with the drooping form of the Thunberg astilbe inflorescences, and the aromatic Japanese astilbe.

Among the variety of varieties, lilac "Amethyst", dark pink "Gloria", "Diament" with its white lace inflorescences are popular.

Astilba Diament is distinguished by white inflorescences resembling openwork lace

Methods for growing astilba

Reproduction is carried out in three ways: by seeds, dividing the bush and buds of renewal. The most common is the division of the bush, while

The fastest result is reproduction by renewal buds. The seed method is not suitable for growing varietal plants and requires stratification -

Special preparation of seeds by placing them first in a cool room (up to +4 degrees Celsius), then in a warm one, with a temperature not lower than +18 degrees.

The seeds are then sown in seedling containers.

Instructions for growing astilba

When choosing a method for dividing a bush, you should use plants that are 4-5 years old. Having dug out the bush, removing the dead rhizome and leaves, it must be cut into pieces of 3-5 buds and planted, leaving a distance of 25-30 cm between the young bushes. After planting, it is necessary to moisten and mulch the soil.

Renewal bud method involves carefully cutting the shoots and planting them in the ground. Be sure to sprinkle the fresh cut with ash.

Then the seedlings are covered with polyethylene and wait for planting in open soil for 6-12 months.

Seedlings grown from seeds are planted in holes 30 cm deep at a distance of 30 cm from each other. Fertilizers are placed at the bottom of the planting holes - bone meal and humus.

Caring for astilba involves abundant watering, drying out of the soil leads to the loss of the decorative properties of the plant. Top dressing can be applied starting from the second season: the first time at the end of April, then at the end of May, and the third time during the budding period. Dry soil can be fertilized with peat or compost, complex fertilizers are applied to wet soil, at the end of flowering - phosphorus-potassium mixtures.

Astilba tolerates frost well, but suffers from temperature changes in the off-season. During such periods, it is recommended to cover the plant with spruce branches.

When to plant astilba

Astilba seedlings are sown in open ground in mid-spring or autumn. It is better to divide the bush in the first half of March - then in the fall it will be possible to admire its flowering.

Where to plant astilba

Astilba prefers shady areas, near water bodies, under tree crowns, but takes root in well-lit places.

Other shade lovers are considered the best neighbors for her - for example, a fern.

The most suitable are loamy soils with high acidity, or peaty. It is recommended to pre-dig the area for planting to the depth of a shovel bayonet and add rotten manure, compost, coniferous litter.