Astilba Thunberg

2024 Author: Gavin MacAdam | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 13:38

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. Typical habitats are stream banks, slopes, bamboo thickets, deciduous and mixed forests.

Characteristics of culture

Astilba Thunberg is represented by perennial herbaceous plants no more than 80 cm high, equipped with brown woody rhizomes and simple stems. The foliage is numerous, complex, doubly pinnate. The leaves, in turn, are serrated, oval in shape, have a distinct shine.

The flowers of the species under consideration are fragrant, white or white-pink in color, collected in apical racemose inflorescences, which reach a length of 20-25 cm. The flower's calyx is short, tubular. The petals are linear, small, and do not exceed 0.4 cm in length. The fruit is represented by a capsule.

Astilba Thunberg bloom is observed in mid-summer and lasts until August, sometimes until early September, depending on climatic conditions. Outwardly, the flowering of the culture looks gentle. The inflorescences, like air clouds, flutter in the wind, giving the garden a zest.

The subtleties of growing

Astilba Thunberg is a moisture-loving plant, but short dry periods in no way affect plant health. It does not have any special requirements for location, it can develop normally both in shaded and sunny areas. Also, it can be safely planted near an artificial or natural reservoir.

The culture in question is resistant to cold weather, even spring frosts are not afraid of it. Soil is another matter. Astilba Thunberg accepts drained, rich, sandy or loamy. Acidic and dry soils are highly undesirable, on such sites the plants feel defective, especially varieties, for example, Strausenfeder. By the way, he is characterized by high growth and drooping inflorescences with pink flowers.

Crop care comes down to simple procedures. Regular watering, weeding at the initial stage of development, and then mulching is important for her. Top dressing is also not forbidden, they contribute to active growth and abundant flowering. A garter will not hurt either, because in the process of development the plants reach a significant height, respectively, a squally wind is able to break seemingly dense stems.

In no case should you wait for the earthen coma to dry out. With a prolonged absence of moisture, Thunberg's astilbe will begin to dry out, and first of all, this ailment will affect the foliage, or rather its tips. Decorative properties will also deteriorate later. Plants will start to lag behind in growth, possibly delayed or not flowering. And, by the way, watering is recommended to be carried out with warm, settled water, cold plants are negatively treated.

Before planting Thunberg's astilba in the ground, it is very important to prepare it, because in one place the plant can grow for many years. The soil is pre-dug up, freed from weeds and old roots, superphosphate, wood ash and rotted humus are added. It is not recommended to use fresh organic matter, it can lead to a burn of the root system of the seedlings.

During the first year, additional fertilizing is not required, they should be carried out the next year. It is better to apply mulch, which can be humus, chopped grass, hay or compost. It will protect from rapid drying and from weeds, which take away from cultivated plants the lion's share of nutrients necessary for normal development.