ASTILBE
Description: The genus includes over 30 species, distributed in East Asia, Japan and North America. In Russia, there are only 2 of the form (in the Far East and the island of Kunashir). In nature, it grows in deciduous forests, along streams, in places where the summer to retain moisture. Astilbe tolerate cold winters under a layer of snow, for example, in Canada, according to official data, they go as far north as zone 3b-4a (on the U.S. classification), where winter temperatures drop to -37 ° C.
This is a rhizomatous perennial herbs with dying for the winter aerial parts. Stems are erect, the height depending on the species - from 8 to 200 cm numerous basal leaves on long stalks, twice or thrice pinnate, rarely simple, dark green or reddish-green, toothed. Small flowers, white, pink, purple, red or purple, gathered in terminal inflorescences panicles of different lengths. Blossom in June - July. Fruit - box. In 1 g to 20,000 seeds. The most spectacular Astilbe during flowering. Their delicate blossoms appear in early July, and do not lose their attractiveness for 25-35 days. Rhizome dense or loose, depending on the species, woody. Every year at the top of the rhizome buds formed subsidiary, and the lower part gradually dies vertical growth of 3-5 cm per year. so at the end of autumn to the bases of bushes spiked fertile land. In addition, care of Astilbe is mainly to maintain soil moisture.
The heads may be pyramidal, rhombus, paniculate, but particularly graceful drooping. Decorative flower clusters depends on their density. Small flowers collected in elongated panicles. Petals of flowers in some varieties of short, and inflorescence obtained air and delicate, as if plastered with small buds, other varieties petals elongated, and these buds look soft and fluffy. Very nice, when there are several in the inflorescence of colors or shades (grades «Peach and Cream», «Montgomery», «White Wings»).
Given the structure of the inflorescence, the diversity of species are divided into groups: the pyramid shape - side branches buds away from the main axis at right angles and uniformly decreases from the base to the top of the inflorescence rhombic - inflorescences resemble a diamond. Lateral branches away from the main axis at an acute angle. Rhombic inflorescences are more often the varieties of Japanese Astilbe, paniculate forms - have numerous branched inflorescence branches extending from the main axis at an acute angle and evenly reduced to the top. This form is attached to much variety Astilbe Arends, drooping form - inflorescence with flexible drooping branches. Drooping inflorescences are varieties that come from Astilbe Thunberg and Lemoine.
The timing also are early flowering (flowering in late June - early July), average (in July) and late (flowering in August). Astilbe height varies from 15 cm (grade «Lilliput») to 2 m (Astilbe David). Height shrub plants are divided into low - 15-60 cm tall, medium - 60-80 cm high - 80-200 cm
In the culture of some 10 species. Breeding gave growers a number of hybrid varieties. All Astilbe hydrophilic, winter-hardy, resistant to pests and diseases.
Growing conditions: optimal lighting - sparse shade or shade during the hottest part of the day. However, the nature of cultivars is more flexible and the many varieties of "keep reminding" the conditions in which live their wild relatives. Indeed, many Astilbe thrives in full sun. Flowering is abundant, but shorter, and leaves little lighter. When choosing a location are very important time of flowering. Early and late varieties of good and long blooming in the shade and in the sun, but the plant is better to watch srednetsvetuschim shade corners as bright July sun dramatically reduces the time to flowering.
Most varieties can grow in areas with relatively high groundwater and moves even stagnant water. Long-term drought Astilbe not stand. Poor soil, outdoor sun and lack of rain can ruin a plant. In such cases, Astilbe should be watered twice a day - early morning or evening. Help plants and soils, close planting, mulching chips or bark. Astilbe very low tolerance overheating the top of the rhizome, and mulch helps reduce overheating, loss of moisture, keeps looseness of the soil, prevents weeds, and, importantly, creates favorable conditions for the winter. In the flower garden is best to mulch plants immediately after planting, covering the entire surface of the soil mulch layer of 5 cm
Astilbe some good carry relatively dry soil - a. x arendsii «Federsee», a.korcana, well overgrown bushes a.chinensis «Superba», «Purpurlance». And there are those that can grow in heavy clay soils - are representatives of a group of Chinese hybrids - x chinensis «Pumila», «Visions», «Vision in Pink», «Vision in Red».
It is important that the soil in the root zone Astilbe enough phosphorus and potassium. In ridge propagation in transverse grooves (1 m long) we rolling in 2.1 handfuls of bone meal and 25-30 grams of complex fertilizers. When planting in the flower bed dug pits 20-30 cm depth and width, they strewed 2.1 handfuls of bone meal, and ash, 25-30 g of fertilizer (rate per square meter), add humus. All this is mixed, poured water. Planted delenki backfilled mulch layer of 3 cm
In favorable conditions, Astilbe grow rapidly. Divided and transplanted Astilbe every 4-5 years, especially in the fast growing in 3-4 years. This is due to the rapid rise vertical rhizomes. Gradually the old bushes too much bulge, young roots, located at the base of the kidneys, are at the surface and dry quickly, causing greatly reduced the duration and quality of flowering - stems becomes smaller florets are smaller. However, in principle, Astilbe can grow in one place for a long time, up to 15-20 years. To maintain the decorative old plants should be fertilized every year to take care of. Astilbe fed first spring after regrowth (mainly nitrogen fertilizers), then immediately after flowering or in autumn (potassium and phosphorus - 20-25 g per plant). Should be carefully poryhlit soil and then mulch again.
With seeds often propagated species Astilbe, grades - only for breeding purposes. The fact that seedlings characteristic polymorphism - especially female plants remain partially or completely lost. Astilbe seeds from very small. They are tied well, but do not always have time to mature. If the seeds are still ripe in September, they shake out of inflorescences. In March and April of surface sown in boxes filled with a mixture of sphagnum peat and sand in the ratio of 3:1. Seed germination is low. Seedlings appear after 3-4 weeks, grow slowly and only at the end of the year form a small rosette of leaves. Astilbe if not close to each other, it is better to replant next spring. Plants grown from seed to bloom on the third year.
Reproduction kidney regeneration. Early spring in Astilbe cut kidney resume with part rhizomes (method of reproduction with the "heel"). It is believed that no harm to the mother liquor can be removed before the third kidney. Rooting conducted in greenhouses. The substrate used is the same as for planting. It poured a 5 to 7 inches of fertile land on the common. For permanent Astilbe planted in the spring of next year. That same year, the plants begin to bloom. Possible, but difficult reproduction softwood cuttings in early spring.
The division of the bush. This method of reproduction is the most familiar and widely used. Delenki prepared so that each had a 3.1 buds and rhizomes 3-5 cm in length, preferably with adventitious roots. Experiments have shown that the value of delenki is not significant, as most varieties are equally good breeding small and large (3 to 10 times larger) delenkami. The division is best done in early spring, while the fall Astilbe bloom. Transplant can be at almost any time, provided a good watering for a few days. Astilbe well acclimatized and during flowering, it allows the buyer to not buy a "pig in a poke", and choose exactly what you need. And the seller will avoid possible charges, just as is often the case in the sale, such as daylilies, which manifest themselves in all their beauty only in the second or third year after planting.
Landing: Astilbe can be transplanted at any time of the growing season, even in the time of flowering, but for 2-3 weeks after the transplant they need to be watered. It is established that in Lithuania (southern Baltic) is the best time for planting this crop - the month of May. Growth of transplanted plants is highly dependent on heat and moisture in the spring. If any of these factors is missing, Astilbe bad roots.
Astilbe planted in a flower bed at a distance of not less than 30 cm (high grade - 50 cm), in the border - 30-50 cm for breeding Astilbe can be planted in furrows or ridges. We plant them on the ridge width of 1 m, the transverse grooves 15-30 cm with 6-7 plants in each, ie, 23 or 46 plants per 1 m2. In the groove rolling in 30-40 grams of complex mineral fertilizers, in which nitrogen is less than 10%. Most often, this fertilizer Kemira-Horti-2, which is good for most perennials. You can apply and simple mixture of fertilizers, keeping the ratio of nitrogen.
Diseases and pests: Astilbe practically does not get sick, occasionally affected slobbering pennitsey, strawberry and root-knot nematodes. Larvae slobbering pennitsy live in their frothy, arranged in the leaf axils. They eat leaves, weakening the growth and development of stems. Fight pennitsey easiest hand. Strawberry nematode affects the kidneys and leaves, you can get rid of it only by the complete destruction of diseased plants. Root knot nematodes live in the roots, causing the formation of galls on them. With it, you can fight, destroying the diseased roots.
Use: Astilbe - wonderful plants for landscaping. They can be planted near monogruppami shrubs. A single blotches Astilbe look particularly elegant planting of ornamental conifers, although in a natural habitat Astilbe grows in deciduous forests. Astilbe feel best in water or in moist half-shaded places.
In flower beds traditional neighbors Astilbe - hosts, ferns, Siberian iris. Astilbe but perfectly combined with other plants. This saxifrage, geyhera, tiarella serdtselistnaya and believing some geraniums, such as blood-red, phlox paniculata, many bells. Next to Astilbe can grow primroses doronikum, avens, Iberis, globe flower. Foreground effectively looked blooming in spring stunted perennials such as different types of kamnelomok and nibs, dead-nettle, zhivuchka, pupochnik. You can try to put some stonecrop, such as white, false.
Vilnius amateur florists create from Astilbe curbs. Nice and cares not a lot. Astilbe can be used not only to decorate the garden. Inflorescence of many varieties in full bloom phase suitable for cut flowers and dried look great in winter bouquets.
Flowering periods of different varieties Astilbe-from late June to September. You may want to pick up a collection to enjoy most of the summer. After flowering shrubs not lose thanks to beautiful decorative foliage. Flower stalks with seed pods also look carefully, and some very beautiful, for example, the high grades with lush dense panicles («Superba», «Purpurlance»), with drooping inflorescence form: «Moerheimii», «Betsy Cuperus». Usually seed pods are brown color, but some varieties are long remain green («Bridal Veil») or dark red («Glow»). You can wait until the spring pruning, leaves will shelter for the winter and will delay the snow, and elegant tassel enliven the winter landscape.
In Holland and Germany Astilbe used for distillation in March and June. To do this, the most suitable varieties 'Peach Blossom', 'Queen Aleksandra', 'Bronselaub' and many Japanese hybrids.
