Astilba is a herbaceous perennial with surprisingly beautiful, shaggy-like inflorescences. They can reach a third of the height of the whole plant and form large snow-white, purple or pink candles. The plant belongs to the family Saxifragidae. In nature, it can be found on moist, marshy lands, under the crown of broad-leaved forests or off the coast of a stream in the vastness of North America and the Far East. It tolerates winter and frost well up to -37 ° C; therefore, it is actively used in temperate climates and colder regions to decorate gardens and parks.
Appearance
Astilba is a perennial plant with erect, highly branched shoots. Depending on the species, its height is 8-200 cm. Woody roots can grow more closely or spread far in the thickness of the earth. In autumn, all terrestrial shoots die off, and new sprouts in spring appear from growth points on the rhizome. Astilbe tends to increase the height of the woody rhizome, so gradually a high mound is formed at the landing site.
Most of the foliage is concentrated in the basal rosettes, but several smaller and whole leaves grow on the shoot itself. The long-leaved, cirrus-dissected leaf is painted dark green. Sometimes there are reddish stains on the surface. In the main species, leaves and flowers have a matte surface. The name can be translated as "no shine." Each segment of the sheet has an oval shape with carved edges. Convex veins are clearly visible on the leaflet.
The flowering period begins in June-July and lasts 2-3 weeks (sometimes a month). At this time, a large lush panicle or brush grows at the top of the stem. It is densely dotted with very small flowers. The length of the inflorescence is 10-60 cm. Corollas of the correct form consist of elongated petals and short stamens with an ovary. Coloring of flowers can be coral, white, lilac or red. A delicate pleasant aroma spreads around the flowering astilbe.
Small seed bunches with very small dark brown seeds ripen in place of pollinated flowers.
Types and varieties of astilbe
In the genus Astilba, a total of 25 plant species are registered. About 10 of them are common in culture. Since this ornamental plant is very popular among gardeners, the number of varieties exceeds 200 units.
Astilbe Arends (A. Arendsii). The plant is a large, sprawling shrub up to 1 m high. It quickly takes a spherical or pyramidal shape and is covered with dark green cirrus-dissected foliage. The beginning of flowering occurs in mid-July, it lasts up to 40 days. At this time, long racemose blossoms with snow-white, red, lilac or pink buds bloom on the tops of the sprouts. Because of the short petals, the inflorescence seems more elegant and delicate. Several short branches, also studded with buds, extend from the main stem. Varieties:
- Amethyst - on a spherical bush up to 1 m high, lush lilac panicles bloom above the green foliage;
- Lollipop - a plant up to 50 cm tall with burgundy green shiny leaves blooms dark coral red flowers;
- Bumalda - a bush 40-60 cm high is covered with reddish-green foliage and dissolves white inflorescences with raspberry border on the petals;
- Gloria Weiss - a spherical shrub with a diameter of 1 m with dark green glossy leaves blooms in white or light cream lush inflorescences;
- America - stems up to 70 cm high with carved bright green leaves in July are covered with pale pink flowers;
- Diamond (white astilbe) - large light green leaves on stems up to 70 cm high are set off by wide white panicles 14-20 cm long.
Chinese Astilba (A. chinensis). A weakly branched plant reaches a height of 50-110 cm. Its erect shoots at the base are covered with larger petiole leaves, and the stalk foliage is smaller. Dark green leaves have a metallic sheen. On the tops are pyramidal inflorescences 30-35 cm long. They are shaded by lilac or purple. Varieties:
- Vision in red - stems 40-50 cm tall are covered with green leaves, and on the top there is a fluffy dark raspberry inflorescence;
- Purkurts - pyramidal vegetation up to 1 m high grows long, similar to purple-pink inflorescence candles.
Astilba Thunberg (A. thunbergii). A very ornamental plant forms a dense slender bush up to 80 cm high. At the base of the stem and along its entire length, long-arched jagged leaves of bright green color grow. Openwork raceme inflorescences blooming up to 20 cm long and about 10 cm wide open in mid-July. Straussendefer variety is very popular with long panicles dangling under their weight, painted in a coral pink light shade.
Japanese Astilba (A. japonica). A compact plant does not exceed 80 cm in height. It is covered with small dark green leaves. A silver ornament is visible on their shiny surface. Inflorescences-panicles of white or pink color bloom before the rest and remain decorative even after drying. Montgomery variety grows only 50-60 cm in height. Its top is decorated with fluffy bright red inflorescences.
Astilbe leafy (A. simplicifolia). Thickets of dark green leaves 20-50 cm tall are decorated with long, thin stems with narrow, candle-like inflorescences. Under the weight of the flowers, the shoots bend beautifully. Aphrodite is distinguished by beautiful coral red flowers.
Breeding methods
Astilba propagates by sowing seeds, dividing the bush and buds. For sowing, seeds collected in the previous year are used. In March, they are buried by 5-7 mm in sand and peat soil, and then covered with a snow cap for stratification. Then the pots, covered with a film, put in the refrigerator for another 2-3 weeks. Then the pot is moved to a warm (about + 20 ° C) room. Shoots appear within 7-10 days. At first they are very thin and weak, so you need to water the soil carefully. You can spray the surface from the spray gun and add a little water to the pan. Seedlings with 2-3 leaves dive in separate peat pots, with which they are subsequently planted.
Dividing the bush is considered the easiest and most effective way to propagate astilbe, especially since astilbe should not be grown for longer than 5-7 years without transplantation, then the plant is too thick and forms a high hill. It is better to carry out manipulation in the middle of spring. First, a bush with a large lump of earth is completely dug up, shaken off the soil and the roots are released. Using a sharp blade, underground shoots are cut so that at least 4 growth points remain on each dividend. Saplings are distributed in fresh planting pits with a distance of 30 cm and carefully watered.
Reproduction by the kidneys gives a good effect. They are separated in early spring, until young shoots have started to grow. It is necessary to cut off the kidney with the heel from the rhizome. Place the sections sprinkled with crushed charcoal. The buds are planted in pots with a mixture of peat and gravel. Soon young sprouts will appear. As they develop, shelter can be removed. Watering is carried out with caution. In autumn or next spring, mature plants are planted in a permanent place.
Landing rules
In the garden for astilbe, it is better to choose slightly shaded places. The north side of the fence or wall of any building, the shade of the trees will do. Well, if close to the surface of the soil groundwater will lie, which feed the roots with moisture. You can also land an astilbe near a reservoir. Earth should have a neutral or slightly acid reaction.
Before planting, the soil is thoroughly loosened, large lumps are broken and dry roots are removed. To make the soil more nutritious, make peat and rotted manure. Landing pits up to 30 cm deep are placed at a distance of 30-50 cm from each other. Ash and mineral fertilizers are poured onto the bottom of each. Growth points on the roots are placed 4-5 cm deeper than the soil level. As it grows and develops, the rhizome rises slightly and will have to be sprinkled with it. After planting, the earth is compacted, and then mulched with humus or peat with a layer of 3-5 cm in thickness.
Plant care
Astilba is a non-capricious plant. If the place is chosen sufficiently shady and humid, the plant will not cause trouble. Basic care comes down to regular watering. Since flowers in nature grow in humid forests, when the soil dries, the leaves quickly wither, and the inflorescences begin to dry. In early summer, when flower buds form, watering is carried out up to two times a day. Do not spray the bushes so that through the drops of water the sun does not burn the leaves.
Mulching will help to save moisture, and also protect against many annoying weeds. From time to time you still have to weed through the thickets of astilbe to make them look more well-groomed. This should be done with caution so as not to damage the roots.
In mid-spring, the flowerbed is fertilized with a high nitrogen mineral composition. It will accelerate the development of greenery. In June, potassium-phosphorus top dressing is preferred, which contributes to more abundant flowering.
After flowering is complete, multi-colored brushes are left on the plant for a while, since they are very decorative. They are later cut off. Green thickets will please their beauty for a long time. By mid-autumn, they will also begin to dry out, then all shoots to the ground are cut off and mulch the area with fallen leaves. It will protect the roots from frost. Plants planted only in autumn are additionally covered with spruce branches.
Astilba has excellent immunity and resistance to parasites. Among the pests, the pennies and nematodes pester the flower. If you can get rid of pennies by spraying with insecticides ("Confidor", "Aktara"), then the nematodes that live inside the plant are practically invulnerable. To get rid of them, you have to prune or remove infected plants along with the roots. As a preventive measure, spraying the shoots and cultivating the soil with Fitoverm helps.
Astilba in landscape design
Astilba is ideal for plot design. It is planted in groups or on a ribbon type along borders, near evergreen shrubs and trees, and also as the lower tier under deciduous trees. A variety of shades of inflorescences and plant heights allows you to create a unique bright composition in the shady corners of the garden. In sunny areas, it is recommended to combine astilbe with fern, hosta or iris, which will create an additional shadow and prevent the roots from overheating.
Iberis, a leotard, doronicum, saxifrages, clematis, stonecrops are usually planted near astilbe. Lush and bright inflorescences, which retain their beauty even after drying, are often used by florists to compose live and dry bouquets.
