2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38
Astilbe (lat. Astilbe) - flower culture; perennial belonging to the Kamnelomkovy family. Under natural conditions, the plant grows in Japan, East Asia and North America, one wild species is found in Russia. The genus includes about 30 species, of which 10 are used in culture.
Description
Astilba is represented by herbaceous plants up to 2 m high with erect stems. The foliage is simple, feathery, green, reddish-green or burgundy, petiolate.
The flowers are tiny, collected in panicles, depending on the variety, they are white, wine, purple, pale pink or lilac. The root system is powerful, consists of a thick vertical rhizome, on the upper part of it, many daughter buds are formed annually. Astilbe blooms in July-August, although to a greater extent these periods depend on the climate and variety.
Growing conditions
Astilba is an undemanding plant, it accepts almost all soils and any location, although it grows and develops best in areas with an openwork shade. Astilba blooms best on nutritious, light and moderately moist soils with a neutral pH reaction. Astilba has a negative attitude towards northerly winds and prolonged drought. The plant is vulnerable to overheating of the upper part of the rhizome. The optimum growing temperature is 20-25C. Plants can grow in the same place for up to twenty years.
Care procedures
Caring for astilba is reduced to systematic loosening, watering with settled water, fertilizing with mineral and organic fertilizers, weeding and removing faded inflorescences. The first feeding is carried out at the beginning of spring, nitrogen fertilizers are optimal at this moment. The second feeding is carried out during flowering.
The culture has a negative attitude towards drought, therefore it is recommended to water it daily. For the winter, plants are mulched with a thick layer of peat, compost or fallen leaves. This procedure will protect the buds of the renewal of astilba and its root system from frost.
Reproduction and planting
Astilba is propagated by seeds, dividing the bush, rhizomes and renewal buds. The seed method is most effective for species plants, since varietal astilbes do not retain the properties of mother plants with this method. Sowing is carried out in the third decade of March - the first decade of April in seedling boxes filled with garden soil, peat and sand in proportions of 2: 1: 1. The first shoots hatch in 3-4 weeks, sometimes later. Transplanting seedlings into the ground is carried out in late June - early July.
Dividing a bush is the most popular way of propagating a culture among gardeners. In early spring, the astilba rhizome is cut into several parts, but so that each has three buds. Then they are planted in the ground at a distance of 20 cm from each other. As with the seed method, astilbe bloom in the third year after planting.
Application
Astilba is a highly ornamental plant that goes well with perennial and annual flower crops. Astilba will perfectly fit into mixborders, rockeries and other flower gardens. They look good both singly and in groups. They are able to decorate the shores of artificial reservoirs and ponds. Astilbe looks most impressive against the background of decorative deciduous shrubs and trees.
Common types
* Astilba David (lat. Astilbe davadii) - represented by perennials; plants reaching a height of 180 cm, bearing green, feathery, dissected foliage and pinkish-red small flowers, collected in dense brushes. Astilba of David blooms in the second decade of July.
* Astilba Thunberg (lat. Astilbe thunbergii) - represented by perennials; plants, reaching a height of 1 m, bearing green, pinnately dissected foliage and small pale pink flowers, collected in lush brushes.
* Japanese astilba (lat. Astilbe japonica) - represented by perennials; plants, no more than 40 cm in height, bearing green trifoliate foliage and small, light pink or white flowers, collected in a brush. 30-40 cm high. Flowering takes place in May - June.
Recommended:
Astilba Nude
Astilbe nude (lat.Astilbe glaberrima) - one of the undersized representatives of the Astilba genus of the Stonefragment family. Refers to moisture-loving plants. It is also famous for its high cold-resistant properties, does not require shelter for the winter.
Astilba David
Astilbe David (lat.Astilbe davidii) - a representative of the genus Astilba of the large family of Saxos. He is a native of China. It also occurs in nature there, but mainly in the northern and northwestern regions. Often this view can be captured on the territory of Mongolia - a state bordering in the northern part with Russia, and in the east with China.
Chinese Astilba
Chinese astilba belongs to a family called saxifrage, the Latin name for this family is Saxifragaceae Juss. Description of astilbe chinese Astilba chinensis is a perennial herb that is endowed with a woody rhizome, painted in dark brown tones.
Astilba Thunberg
Astilbe Thunberg (lat.Astilbe thunbergii) - a representative of the Astilba genus of the Stonefragment family. In nature, it is common in Japan and the Kuril Islands. It is endemic, that is, in natural conditions it grows in a limited area.
Korean Astilba
Korean astilba (lat.Astilbe koreana) - one of the many representatives of the Astilba genus of the Saxifrage family. It is a native of Korea, also occurs naturally in China, to be more precise, in the northern and eastern regions. In culture, the species is rarely used, it has occupied its niche in folk medicine.
