Astilba when to transplant an adult plant. Planting Astilba: care in the open field. The basics of correct transplantation
Astilba is wonderful perennial flower able to decorate any household plot. The plant feels especially good in shady places - under trees and with north side Houses.
Many gardeners are attracted by this beauty with its decorative effect, however, not everyone knows how to properly care for astilba, and most importantly, how to plant it in open ground. These are the questions we will consider in the article: we will find out how to save astilba before planting it, how to transplant it correctly, and how to provide competent care for the plant after rooting.
Description
Astilba is a plant of the saxifrage family. Her appearance is very decorative, due to which she, in fact, is valued by gardeners all over the world. You should know that although the plant is perennial, its above-ground part dies off every winter - only the rhizome remains “alive”, from which a new astilba grows in spring.
This botanical specimen has many varieties: the height of adult plants can vary from 8 cm to 2 meters. The color of astilba, depending on the variety, can also be different: pink, white, lilac, purple. The leaves of the plant are also decorative: they have a complex pinnate shape, being also a kind of decoration.
Astilba blooms from June, and this period lasts about a month. It is during flowering that the plant is most decorative and attractive.
Lush inflorescences-panicles are a real decoration of landscape design, and are able to visually “pull out” any, even the most neglected site.
AT winter period the plant is sleeping. Astilba rhizomes safely survive even frost at -37 degrees, so the plant is suitable for growing in most of our country.
On the video landing and Astilba's departure:
For astilba to take root safely in open ground, and has taken root, it needs moist soil, and mandatory regular watering. At the same time, both feeding and shading are important. Subject to these simple requirements, the plant will delight you with flowering and an attractive appearance for many years.
How to save a plant before planting
Astilba is not immediately placed in open ground: for some time she has to spend under the roof, being in special containers. During this period, it is important to follow several rules that will help provide the plant with favorable conditions, and further successful rooting in the ground.
When storing astilba, it is important to prevent its roots from drying out, as well as too much moisture. In the first case, the rhizomes can dry out, in the second, they can rot: both are incompatible with the normal functioning and life of the flower.
Inspect all the shoots: it is impossible to plant in the ground those that have creases, are too elongated or crumpled. Select whole, strong shoots: and plant them.
If you decide to plant whole, but elongated shoots, keep in mind that such a shoot will take root, however, the decorativeness of the plant will be a big question. Most likely, such an astilbe will hurt, and will not be able to become a full-fledged decoration of the garden.
How to plant in the ground
To ensure the plant has the highest percentage of "survival" in the open field, be sure to inspect the rhizomes of the flower before planting. It is important that all parts of the roots are "live" - without dead and rotten parts. The landing itself is best done in late spring or early summer, then when it happens. Choose a northern section of the garden with trees and shrubs that can provide astilbe with sparse shade.
Location selection
For astilba, it is necessary to correctly choose the landing site. This plant does not like sunlight, so open, unshaded areas are not suitable for it. At all shady places also not for her: astilba needs partial shade: harmonious combination shadows and sun. An ideal place for its successful growth and flowering is the "lace" shade of the crowns of large trees.
Areas swampy, with stagnant water, too watery are not suitable for this plant. As a result of planting in such soil, astilba rhizomes can rot completely. However, if proper drainage of a wet area is ensured, then the successful cultivation of astilba in such a place becomes quite likely.
Pit size
To determine the parameters of the recess under the plant, pay attention to the rhizome: be guided by its size. The roots of the plant should be freely placed in the hole: without excessive deepening and falling asleep with the ground growing point.
It is recommended to lay a hydrogel at the bottom of the prepared recess: this measure will help keep the soil optimally moist. In addition to the hydrogel, the growth and flowering of astilbe will be favorably affected by laying bone meal in the hole, mineral fertilizers and ash: each of the listed types of top dressing requires one matchbox.
After planting the plants, you can mulch the ground on top with tree bark or fine peat, which will help ensure soil moisture. In addition, such a measure will ensure the safety of the astilba root system from drying out.
How to care
Keep in mind that the plant adds about 3-5 cm in height per year, and as a result of growth, the upper parts of the rhizomes are slightly exposed. Therefore, do not forget to sprinkle soil on bare areas to protect them from drying out. But you don’t need to pour too much earth: a layer 2-3 cm high is enough.
Periodically add a mulching layer of peat, bark or expanded clay from above to the ground: this layer will protect the roots from drying out in summer and from freezing in winter.
Dead stems require pruning. In addition, those inflorescences that have faded must be removed from the bushes: this will benefit the plant, and appearance garden will improve.
But how good they look, you can see in the photo in this article.
top dressing
In order for the plant to develop safely, and at the same time feel great, it needs periodic top dressing with fertilizers with a complex composition.
When the plant blooms, it needs phosphorus top dressing, and by the end of the flowering period - potash. These measures will help increase the "decorative" period, and help the formation of full-fledged seeds suitable for further reproduction.
You may also be interested to know which fertilizers are the best in their class.
On the video landing of astilba in the ground:
How it breeds
The plant has several ways of reproduction. Let's consider them in more detail.
division
This is the most proven and familiar method of plant propagation. To implement this method, it is necessary to carefully dig out the mother plant, being careful not to damage its roots. To carefully remove the rhizome, the ground around it must be dug out with a radius of approximately 15-20 cm. After digging with a knife, you need to divide the root into 2-3 parts: it is important that each separated part has buds. After separation, sprinkle fresh cuts with crushed charcoal.
Lay the separated rhizomes in the furrow prepared for this, immediately pour the soil on top. Rooting stimulants added to the water will help the plant take root faster and grow into an independent specimen.
When young shoots hatch, they must not be forgotten to be watered, and it is also necessary to loosen the soil to ensure oxygen access to the roots. Shoots can be planted in open ground in the spring, already in March. And for the first time, astilba will bloom with this method of reproduction in the fall.
On the video, how Astilba breeds:
kidneys
This method is considered the fastest. For its implementation, it is necessary to separate in the spring from mother plant several buds along with parts of rhizomes. Then you need to plant the separated shoots in a sheltered warm place (greenhouse). The soil should include a mixture of sand and gravel, and be sufficiently moist.
This method gives a high percentage of survival rate of "young animals". However, for astilba to start flowering with this breeding method, it takes almost a year to wait.
seeds
The method of reproduction is also very common, and gives very good results. For reproduction, healthy ripened seeds are used: they are taken from boxes that appear in place of astilba flowers.
Seeds are laid in the ground in March, having previously stratified. They are sown in special containers with a moistened peat-sand mixture. A layer of snow is placed on top of the ground, which can also be taken from the freezer. After the snow has melted, the seed container is covered with a film and placed in the refrigerator on the bottom shelf for 20 days. At this time, the first shoots appear. Moreover, the most hardened specimens will survive, which will ensure guaranteed durability and successful development of plants.
After completing 20 days in the refrigerator, the container is moved to the light: the air temperature should be about +20 degrees. Sprouts that are in the light need to be watered. But this must be done very carefully: it is better to use a syringe without a needle, and direct the stream of water gently under the spine. When 2-3 leaves appear on the sprouts, transplant them into separate containers.
Attention: only varietal specimens can be propagated in this way, since hybrids do not transmit their species characteristics.
What plants are combined with
Real gardeners know that each plant has its own "favorites": those neighbors next to which it the best way feels and flourishes. Astilbe is no exception.
This perennial beauty, thanks to its decorativeness and picturesqueness, perfectly sets off the monochrome greenery of coniferous specimens. And the neighbors at the same time give the astilba a much-needed shadow.
Astilbe is highly valued by landscape designers, as it is one of the most picturesque botanical specimens suitable for shady plantings - group and single.
We examined the features of growing and caring for astilba - ornamental plant applied in landscape design. As you can see, there is nothing particularly difficult in growing this representative of the flora. Observing simple recommendations given in the article, you will be able to competently plant astilba in open ground, and provide it with proper care after rooting. In response, the plant will delight you with wonderful flowering, and will become a real gem of your garden.
Not all shade-loving plants have a luxurious flowering, like a bright spot against a background of dark green foliage. Astilba differs from its herbaceous shade-tolerant relatives in its lush inflorescence in the form of a panicle. The opacity of the leaves gives a special look to the plant, allowing bright colors to show themselves.
About the meaning of the name astilba and a bit of history
Astilba got its name for the nondescript matte leaves: “A” - without, denial; "Stilba" - shine, it turns out "without shine." Scottish botanist Lord Hamilton was the first to classify the plant as herbaceous, which now has about 40 species, including perennial and annual varieties.
In nature, it occurs along the banks of water bodies, more often grows in broad-leaved forests, but can grow on shady slopes of highlands. Homeland is considered to be East Asia, North America, Japanese islands where astilba was first discovered. Wet places made green color dull, inconspicuous, but the inflorescences conquer gardeners.
European gardens got acquainted with the plant thanks to travelers who were looking for interesting, unusual things in different countries. Carl Thunberg and von Siebold brought the flower from Japan along with other exclusive items. Late 18th and early XIX century is marked by the development of park culture in Russia, recreation and walks on fresh air become popular with the public. Having found its application in decorating shady gardens, banks of ponds, small artificial reservoirs, astilba has become popular among landscape designers and florists.
Description of astilba
How to grow astilba in the photo Astilbe ‘Bressingham Beauty’ (x arendsii)
Astilbe belongs to herbaceous perennials, top part which dies off for the winter, and the rhizome remains in the ground. The roots exposed during the summer period need shelter with an additional layer of soil, and harsh climatic conditions require additional shelter with a special industrial material or foliage.
Plant height ranges from 8 cm to 2 m, you can choose a representative for any flower bed or architectural structure. miniature dwarf species barely reach 30 cm, their flexible stem forms an arc shape, for which they called the flower “drooping”. Known varieties with drooping inflorescences Tenberg, Lemoine. Despite the variety of colors, the choice remains on bright, saturated ones that will look expressive on the shady side of the garden.
The leaf plate is not uniform, depending on the variety and place of growth. Hue can vary from dark green in summer to brown-red in autumn. The leaf is planted on a long petiole, some varieties have a feathery shape, others have a jagged edge. Most species are represented complex structure leaf, consisting of several pointed heart-shaped leaflets.
The underground part of the plant is distinguished by its heterogeneity: there are species with a loose soft root, and some are strong tree-like ones. Many processes depart from the central rhizome, the lower ones die off, and new ones form on top. The plant increases root system up by 3-5 cm, so the roots are exposed in autumn.
Astilbe in garden design Astilbe Japonica group ‘Europa’ mixborder photo
The original combination will be landing along with astilbes and hosts, or Volzhanka. Get a gentle composition with various types paniculate inflorescences. Simply airy mood!
Types and varieties of astilba with photos and names
Thanks to many years of work breeders have bred several hundred hybrid varieties of astilba. There are varietal groups specially designed for a warm or cold climate zone. Some species get along well with spreading plants, others need space. Before choosing seeds, you need to focus on weather climatic zone, neighboring plants of the flower bed, the degree of watering.
No more than 12 species are popular; Arendsa, Chinese, Japanese, and simple-leaved are suitable for growing in the garden. They don't require special conditions, unpretentious in care.
Astilbe Arendsii Astilbe Arendsii
Created by crossing David's astilba with others, it has about 40 varieties with a long flowering period. Its inflorescences appear in early July, and closes the flowering season at the end of August. In autumn, it perfectly sets off the dark green foliage of others. flowering plants. The bushes are powerful, reach 1 m, having diamond-shaped or paniculate inflorescences. Known varieties: Amethyst, Weiss Gloria, Ruby (up to 80 cm), Diamond (up to 1 m).
Chinese Astilbe Astilbe chinensis
astilba Chinese variety Astilbe chinensis ‘Vision in Pink’ photo of flowers in the garden
It is a herbaceous shrub over 1 m with a heterogeneous green mass. The lower leaves are wide on long petioles, after flowering they have a neat appearance, filling the flower bed with a dark green lush mass. From above to the inflorescence, the leaves are short with a shiny texture. The stem ends 30-35 cm with a panicle of small, brightly colored flowers. Represented by varieties not only standard height(Purpulans, Pink, Red), but also undersized (Pumila Hort, up to 15 cm).
Astilbe Japanese hybrid Astilbe japonica hybrids
Astilbe Japanese Astilbe ‘Montgomery’ (japonica hybrid) photo in the garden
A compact plant, the decorative value of which is the green mass of green, shiny leaves. Panicles of inflorescences begin to bloom by mid-June, which is several weeks earlier than other species. Excellent cold tolerance has made the species popular in a risky climate with a changeable temperature regime. The Montgomery terry astilbe is famous among flower growers; its inflorescences can be bright burgundy or red. There are varieties white shade- Deutschland, pink - Reiland, pale lilac - Europe.
Simple-leaved hybrid Astilbe Astilbe simplicifolia
Astilbe simpleleaf Astilbe Simplicifolia ‘Hennie Graafland’ photo of flowers in the garden
It is not at all suitable for a dry and hot climate, therefore, in the steppe zone, where the scorching sun, the plant will not have a place. calling card species are drooping varieties Thunberg, Prikoks Alba, their inflorescences create a floating web in a flower bed. Short stature, 25-50 cm, openwork panicles of inflorescences make the plant popular in border beds. More often used as an accent on the corners or central areas. This species can grow on sunny side, but the tone of the leaves will be lighter, and the flowers will not be as saturated.
Dwarf varieties can be grown in pots, they tolerate the home climate perfectly. Some flowering arrangements are suitable as a gift. It feels better outdoors, so it is advisable to take flowerpots with room astilba in the summer to the balcony or terrace of a private house.
For many gardeners and landscape designers, astilba enjoys well-deserved attention and love. Unpretentious and beautifully flowering, it can diversify any corner of the site and add bright colors both by itself and in various original mixborders.
beautiful astilba bloom
Astilba inflorescences do not leave indifferent anyone who has ever seen her, let alone grown her. This chic perennial varies depending on the variety in height from 9 to 150cm. Planted as a green border or even a small hedge during flowering, it is a chic sight. There are varieties that bloom for about a month, and there are those who please with inflorescences throughout the summer season.
Some varieties bloom with openwork flowers, and some are fluffy, as if filled with air and lighter than a feather in weight. In total, astilba has four variants of inflorescences - pyramidal, diamond-shaped, paniculate and drooping. Some varieties can be with several shades at once.
There are more than three dozen varieties of astilba, but only a dozen of them are cultivated in our country. A third of this ten is quite tolerant of the effects of bright sun rays, the rest are grown in partial shade and tolerate even shade well.
Photo gallery of astilba varieties
Astilba Chinese variety "Pumila" Astilba Arendsa variety "Amethyst" Astilba Japanese hybrid variety"Deutschland" Astilba Arendsa variety "Sister Teresa"
How to propagate astilba
The plant can be propagated in three ways - by seeds, root division or with the help of germinated buds. Astilba does not resist transplants and quickly takes root in a new place, then starting its rapid spread.
Reproduction of astilbe by seeds can only be afforded by a person who has incredible patience or hones the skill of breeding garden plants. flower crops. The thing is that astilbe seeds are small and grow for a long time. They are harvested in September and sown in boxes in early spring. Even with proper care, they will germinate only three to four weeks after planting. Now they will need to be grown for another whole year in order to be planted in open ground. And plants will bloom only in the third year. So if you want to appreciate the beauty of flowering astilba as soon as possible, you will have to use other methods of reproduction.
Namely, dividing the root or dividing the bush, as this process is also called. This is the most common and affordable option astilbe breeding. The bush is dug up, its root is divided into parts, each of which has at least two or three buds and a root of at least 5-7 cm. When divided in this way in early spring you can enjoy the flowering of astilbe already in the fall.
It must be remembered that astilba's roots are hard, almost wooden, and sometimes they have to be separated with a hacksaw.
The third method is something in between the previous two in terms of complexity. It will also require patience. In spring, one bud of renewal with a root is cut off from an adult plant and transplanted into a prepared substrate in a greenhouse. Here the astilba will take root throughout the year until next spring. After planting in open ground, it will bloom in July-August. This method brings results faster than the first, but it will also require a lot of patience.
Drop off time and place
There are different opinions regarding the time for planting astilba, but they all agree on one thing - the best period is spring. This is the time of awakening warmth and a large supply of moisture in the soil, which is very necessary when planting astilba. Of course, you can land it both in summer and autumn, providing abundant watering in the first days after planting.
Astilba performs best on loams and soils with a high level of ground water
If you have decided on the time of planting the plant, now it's time to find appropriate place. Assume that astilba loves moisture very much. AT wild nature it settles near water bodies, and in areas it grows well on soils with a high level of groundwater.
When choosing a place, consider the position of the sun throughout the day - choosing an open place illuminated by the sun all day is not recommended.
The best place to land would be a point shaded tall shrubs or trees. If you do not find such places, you can plant astilbe on the shady side near the house, where the sun's rays will only reach part of the daylight hours.
The best place for planting astilba is shaded tall bushes and trees place
If the plant is exposed to sunlight all day, the flowering period will be greatly reduced and its quality will drop. The flowers will shrink and lose their inherent brightness, as will the leaves, which, instead of a rich juicy green color, will have a pale green appearance. Mid-flowering varieties of astilba generally show their best flowering only in the shadows.
Soil preparation and planting (video)
For planting astilba, they dig holes with a diameter of 25-35 cm, between which they maintain a distance of at least 30 cm. Flowers are brought into the pits complex fertilizer, bone meal, ash and humus. Fertilizers are mixed with each other, while the proportion of nitrogen should not exceed 10% so that the plant does not suffer.
Do not skimp on water when watering the holes, because astilbe loves moisture and high level ground water. So that excess water it certainly won't hurt her.
Before planting, the roots of the plant are straightened, after which they are placed in the hole, sprinkled with a layer of mulch 3-5 cm thick. The hole is spilled with water, covered with soil, which must be tamped. Dry leaves and sawdust placed under the bush help to better retain moisture for the roots.
In the future, you only need to maintain moisture at the roots of astilba by conducting regular watering. In addition to watering the soil, it will periodically be necessary to fertilize and mulch the root zone. Since the soil must always be moist, this creates favorable conditions for bacteria, so to avoid problems, sometimes add potassium permanganate to the water to decontaminate the soil.
Astilba is quite good at transplanting even in flowering state.
Further care for astilba is not so difficult, but important. Since it is precisely the maintenance of favorable conditions for astilbe that allows it to show its best and longest flowering. If you do not live in southern regions, and the soil on your site is close to loam - this best opportunity plant astilba in your garden, which will delight you with its beautiful flowering for 10-15 years.
Candidate of Biological Sciences, Senior Researcher, GBS im. N.V. Tsitsina RAS, member of the Union of Journalists of Moscow
The great advantage of astilba is the ability to grow and develop well in partial shade, in areas protected from direct sunlight. With too much shading, the astilbe will bloom poorly. The excellent quality of astilba is its high winter hardiness. In addition, this culture is practically not affected by diseases and pests, only occasionally slobbering pennitsa and nematodes appear.
Landing and care
When choosing a place for planting astilba, preference should be given to areas with diffused lighting. Suitable for loamy and peat soils sufficiently hydrated throughout the growing season. In places with stagnant waterlogging, plants may rot. Particularly favorable for planting are places near water bodies, near fountains and pools.
In flower beds, astilba is planted at a distance of 30-40 cm from each other. When planting, the rhizome is placed at a depth of 20-25 cm, so that there is a layer of soil 3-5 cm thick above the renewal buds. After planting, the soil around the plants is mulched with a layer of peat or humus, which retains moisture in the soil and limits the development of weeds. Plants are regularly watered for 2 weeks until fully rooted. Watering is necessary in dry and sunny weather. Astilba responds well to top dressing in spring and summer with organic and complex mineral fertilizers.
In many varieties of astilba, the upper part of the rhizome is exposed over time, rising above the ground in the form of a bump. Such a change occurs when a plant is grown in one place without a transplant for 3-4 years. It is useful to mulch with peat around the plants in spring or autumn. The thickness of the mulch layer depends on how far the astilba rhizome has risen above the ground. If you do not cover the plants, then the renewal buds will fall into unfavorable conditions, while flowering will weaken and the inflorescences will become smaller. In this regard, it is recommended to grow astilba in one place without a transplant for no more than 5 years.
In the spring, the astilbe vegetation begins relatively late, when the daytime air temperature is not lower than +10 0 С. Therefore, if the spring is late and cold, then the astilbe starts growing only in late May and early June. The duration of flowering is 1-3 weeks. After the end of flowering, it is recommended to cut off all faded inflorescences in order to preserve the decorativeness of the plantings. Pruning of the entire aerial part is carried out in late autumn.
Since astilba is a winter-hardy plant, shelter is not required in winter.
Vegetative propagation
Most often, astilba is propagated by dividing the bush, since this is the simplest and most reliable way breeding. Adult large specimens are dug out of the ground after 3-4 years, and their hard woody rhizome is divided sharp knife or a shovel into several parts, leaving 2-3 buds on each part. When dividing a bush, it is recommended to remove the lower parts of the rhizome, since they will die off, and the growth will go at the expense of the upper part of the rhizome. Immediately after dividing, smaller parts of the bush are planted or added dropwise so that the roots do not dry out.
The best breeding time for astilba is early spring, before flowering. If reproduction occurs in autumn, in late August - early September, then it takes time for the plants to take root before the onset of cold weather. The transplanted plants take root well and do not die. They are already on next year bloom normally.
seed propagation
Most often, astilba is propagated by seeds in order to breed new varieties. Due to the fact that its seeds are very small, they are visible only through a magnifying glass, they are difficult to detect. 1 g contains 20 thousand seeds. They are tied a little, and when mature, they quickly spill out of the boxes. To collect the seeds, you should cut the inflorescences in September and place in a dry, warm place on paper. After 15-20 days, the panicles are shaken to extract ripe seeds, and the crumbling seeds are collected in a bag.
Sowing is best done at the end of February and in March in a box or flower pot 15 cm high, in room conditions or in a greenhouse. The box is filled with a loose, fertile earthen mixture. After the earth is compacted and completely saturated with water, the seeds are scattered over the surface, without embedding. The soil is covered with glass or plastic wrap to maintain moisture. Sowing should be watered regularly using a spray bottle. Seedlings appear 2-3 weeks after sowing. Cold stratification for 1 month at a temperature close to 0 0 С accelerates the germination of seeds and increases their germination (up to 70-90%). When the first true leaves appear, the seedlings dive carefully. Young plants are regularly hardened, and planted in open ground in early summer or autumn.
For planting choose places protected from direct sunlight, best of all under the canopy of trees. Young plants do not tolerate drought well and need constant moisture. They are winter-hardy, but in the first winter it is better to cover them. At favorable conditions astilba can bloom 2-3 years after sowing.
Diversity horticultural crops requires compliance special rules their agronomics. There are secrets experienced florist that help turn any piece of land into a blooming paradise. Caring for astilba in the fall according to the rule of agricultural technology will help keep the plant in any climatic zones. Before you cover the plant for the winter, you should know how and when to transplant the shrub correctly. Astilba is very beautiful plant and deserves a timely and regular care behind you. But care does not always consist in observing temperature standards, watering, etc. of things. Another very important process is transplantation. The activity of fruiting depends on it, as well as the appearance and health of the future bush. Today we will tell you how and when to transplant astilba correctly so as not to harm the flower and get the maximum benefit from it.
Astilbe transplant - how, when and why?
You also need to know one more specificity of astilba - over time, its roots, along with the buds, begin to grow upward and eventually break out. As a result, they can be severely affected by extreme heat and winter frosts. Flowering in this case may completely stop. When transplanting, the astilba rhizome is cut with a very sharp knife (so as not to harm the plant) into the required number of parts. Each separated bush should have at least three buds at the base of the root system. Immediately after dividing the bush, place the roots of future plants in a container with water - this will contribute to the independent growth and development of the plant. 
When you have already begun the planting process, do not forget to keep a distance between the bushes - at least 40 centimeters, so that not only the flowers, but also the foliage of the astilbe can grow to its full strength. The depth of planting is determined by the kidneys - they should be immersed in the ground by 3-4 centimeters. Then sprinkle mulch (peat or humus is suitable) with a layer of two centimeters. In this way, you can avoid the appearance of weeds next to the bush and retain moisture in the soil. 
When can you transplant astilba
Since our bush constantly succeeds in moisture, especially in summer, the very best option- this is to carry out a transplant in spring or autumn, when there is still (or already) not such a scorching sun. When it is possible to transplant astilba with minimal losses for the plant - each grower decides on his own. The preferred option is the end of August - the beginning of September. The flower will transfer the procedure much easier, which means the result will be better. Some gardeners claim that transplantation can be carried out even when the first buds and flowers have already appeared on the bush - it is important to do everything very carefully here: it is necessary to transplant along with a clod of earth and water regularly. That is, even the growing season will not have a special effect on the effectiveness of the transplant. They believe that the only thing that can interfere with a quality and effective transplant is the lack of sun and lack of moisture.
When to plant astilba?
To get nice and healthy plant you need to know not only how to plant a bush, but also when. Astilba is recommended to be planted in spring or autumn. In the spring - after the threat of frost has finally passed and the sprouts can be planted immediately on open ground. In a month and a half, it will bloom (at the turn of June and July). When to plant astilba - largely depends on climatic conditions one region or another.
If you want to get flowers next year, then you can plant seedlings only in the fall, when the summer heat subsides. Planting conditions are still the same, it just won't bloom so soon.
The hole in which you plan to plant astilba should be twice as wide as the root system so that it can be prevented from being accidentally damaged and have a depth of at least 15 centimeters. The loose earth that forms near the bush will contribute to more comfortable conditions for the growth of astilba.
After planting, the pit is covered clay soil(same consistency as the soil next to the bush). Also check how well packed the soil is next to the new plant to make sure any air pockets have been removed.
How to cover astilba for the winter?
In the first year, in order for the plant to survive the winter well, do not let it bloom. It is necessary to immediately cut off all the flower stalks so that all the forces of the flower go to the formation of buds in the rhizome. Also, at first, it is necessary to regularly weed the bush, and after it grows, the need for this procedure will disappear by itself. How to cover astilbe for the winter and when is the best time to do it?