Characteristics and description of America variety astilbe, planting and care

Astilbe does well in sunny areas. Its above-ground stems die off in the fall, but with the first warmth of spring, the root system, which easily tolerates the frosty winter, quickly produces fresh shoots, and in the summer, astilbe, just like in America, grows and blooms abundantly. Its stems grow 60-90 centimeters in height, and can be up to 2 meters. The plant is an ornamental plant and perfectly decorates summer cottages.

History of selection

Scientists from different countries took part in the selection of astilbe. A botanist from France, E. Le Moine, created several varieties that received his name. Arends astilbe is named after the German botanist G. Arende. He devoted most of his life to the breeding and selection of this amazing plant, and developed astilbes with inflorescences of pink and bright red shades.

Need to know! Today, selection continues, more and more new hybrids are being developed.

Description and characteristics of culture

The shrub plant is distinguished by feathery and carved leaves of a dull, matte shade. Some varieties have shiny foliage. The main color of the leaves is dark green, but there are many varieties of the plant, and in many the foliage has a red tint; in some species, the jagged edges of the leaves are outlined by a white border. The foliage grows densely on long, strong petioles of a reddish hue.

External description

In a perennial plant, the erect stems die off in the winter, but the root system continues to develop and live in winter frosts. The density of the stems differs depending on the type of flower - it can be loose, but most often the stems are dense and woody.

Plant varieties differ in stem height - from 10 centimeters to 2 meters. In dwarf species, the length of the stem does not exceed 30 centimeters. In tall species, the stems grow up to 2 meters.

Bush

Bushes of different species can be compact, but most often they are spreading; carved foliage makes the bush spectacular even without flowers.

Bloom

The color of astilbe flowers depends on the species. Gardens are decorated with pink, purple, white, light lilac, and red flowers. The inflorescences are collected in brushes and look like openwork panicles. The shape of the inflorescences is pyramidal, diamond-shaped, drooping.

Root system

The rhizome, due to the fact that the plant is perennial, is highly dense and branched. By spring, fresh root buds form on the surface roots; the lower ends of the deep rhizome die off on their own; they do not need to be cut off when replanting.

Frost resistance and drought resistance

The onset of autumn cold does not frighten the plant. It stops blooming; the flowering stems must be cut off in a timely manner with pruning shears. But until winter, the plant decorates the garden with carved fluffy foliage. It is necessary to prune stems that have withered due to frost with the arrival of real cold weather. After pruning, the bush should be hilled with dry soil, forming mounds 3-4 centimeters in height.

Astilbes are highly resistant to frost, tolerate freezing of the ground down to -23 ºC, and in external cold temperatures up to -37 ºC. A layer of snow and mulching applied after pruning also save the plant from freezing. Caring summer residents cover astilbe bushes with spruce branches for the winter. Frost resistance zone: Moscow region, northern regions of Russia and the mountains of Scandinavia.

Astilbe should be watered abundantly - it does not tolerate dry summers well. The soil must be kept slightly moist at all times. Lack of moisture negatively affects flowering and the general condition of the plant. Astilbe should be watered every day, in dry seasons - twice: in the morning and at night.

Note! Astilbe is frost-resistant, but does not tolerate drought.

Susceptibility to diseases and parasites

Astilbe America is resistant to diseases and pests.Only in conditions of insufficient care is it susceptible to root rot, spotting of the outer bush of a bacterial nature and phytoplasma diseases of viral origin.

A diseased bush can be revived: it is dug up, rotten areas, diseased stems and leaves are cut off. Then place the roots in a weak solution of manganese or fungicide. After keeping the root system in the medicine for some time, the plant is transplanted to a new place, the soil infected with rot is filled with a saturated solution of potassium permanganate, and left without planting anything in this place for a long time.

Bacterial spot disease is manifested by the appearance of black spots on the leaves, causing the plant to wilt. Bacteria are destroyed by treating the bushes with preparations containing copper. The causative agents of viral diseases can enter the plant along with brought soil or when infected planting material is purchased. Viral diseases on plants cannot be cured.

Pests parasitizing on astilbe:

• slobbering pennies;
• small cicadas;
• root-knot and strawberry nematodes.

The plant is saved from pennies and cicadas by treatment with Rotor, Aktara, and Confidor. It is difficult to rid the soil of nematodes, which is a type of helminthic infestation: the diseased plant must be completely removed and burned on the spot.

Attention! You should not plant other crops on contaminated soil for a couple of years.

Advantages of application in landscape design

Astilbe America is a plant in demand in landscaping. It is planted in monogroups so that they shade other shrubs with their colors. One astilbe bush looks elegant against the background of coniferous trees. The best place for astilbe is partial shade near artificial reservoirs. This shrub shades well many garden plants; their best neighbors are ferns, irises, hosts, heuchera, bergenia, and geranium.

Astilbe harmonizes perfectly with bells, phlox, Iberis, and leotard. Creates an excellent background for low perennials: jasmine, saxifrage, tenacious. Astilbe forms a beautiful border, which also does not require much maintenance.

How to plant a plant

The soil is required to be acidic, with a pH in the range of 5.5-6.6. Neighbors such as hostas help keep the soil moist and, with their thick foliage, protect the exposed astilbe roots from overheating in the summer heat. Since astilbe bushes need constant moisture, it is best to plant them near water. If it is not possible to regularly water the shrub, you need to plant the astilbe in the shade and ensure that the soil near the root system is mulched with sawdust, compacted hay, and peat.

We must remember! Astilbe needs sunlight at least 2-4 hours a day, then it will show all its decorative potential, the inflorescences will be thick and fluffy.

Deadlines

Five-year-old astilbe bushes require planting and dividing the rhizome. This is best done in spring or early autumn. The timing depends on the place of residence. In the central zone, in the Moscow region, planting begins earlier than in the Urals and in the Siberian region, but later than in the southern regions. Astilbes should be planted in open ground in May, in already warmed ground.

In general, astilbes are unpretentious when it comes to planting. If gardeners received planting material in the summer, it can be safely planted on cool days.

Choosing the right location

The place for planting Astilbe America should be found in partial shade, if possible, on the north side of buildings. But with the condition that the bushes will receive direct sunlight for 2-4 hours. Constant sunlight will destroy the bushes, and partial shade is the most desirable place for them.Areas with high groundwater are not suitable; it leads to rotting and severe wetting of the root system.

Shaded areas with light soil rich in nutrients are well suited for growing astilbe. Such soil allows the roots to breathe sufficiently, as it is well filled with oxygen.

Need to know! The determining factors for choosing a place to plant Astilbe America are humidity levels in the soil and in the air.

Preparing the soil and planting hole

At first soil on the selected for astilbe the site must be carefully dug up, rotted peat and rotted manure added to the soil. Fertilizers are applied in 2 buckets per 1 square meter. During digging, any roots of old weeds should be removed. After digging, the flowerbed should be left alone for 2-3 weeks.

After this time, holes should be dug in the prepared area, maintaining a certain distance between them:

• 30 centimeters for low-growing astilbe species;
• 50 centimeters for tall varieties.

It is recommended to add fertilizer to the bottom of the holes in the amount of matchboxes - bone meal, mineral fertilizers, wood ash. They must be mixed with the soil, and to maintain soil moisture for a long time, a hydrogel is added to the bottom of the hole.

Technology and planting depth

The root system is lowered into the hole, the thin root shoots are carefully straightened, then covered with soil, compacting it a little so that there is no air space left. The holes are prepared in depth, in accordance with the size of the rhizome.

After planting, you should form a watering trench for each bush and pour in water; when it is absorbed into the ground, under the bush it is necessary to mulch with crushed peat, sawdust, compost, and crushed dried bark.In this case, you need to leave it free and not cover the green sprouts.

How to care for astilbe

Proper care will ensure full growth and lush flowering for astilbe bushes. Growing young roots emerge to the surface of the soil. In order for astilbe to survive the harsh winter well, the roots must be mulched. In late autumn, closer to the onset of frost, you need to cover the soil above the roots with pine needles, sawdust, and spruce branches.

Care includes actions that meet the characteristic needs of the shrub:

1. Timely and sufficient watering.
2. Adding the necessary fertilizing.
3. Timely pruning of wilting stems.
4. Mandatory removal of stems with flowers.
5. Proper preparation of bushes for wintering.

Astilbe tolerates severe frosty winters if the bushes are properly covered with mulching. Caring for astilbe bushes is not difficult.

Watering and fertilizing

With the onset of summer heat, it is necessary to water the plant on time - it loves water, but in moderation - so that the root system does not become waterlogged. The lack of water has a detrimental effect on the plant - the foliage withers, the inflorescences become small. Annual feedings preserve the beauty and freshness of astilbe. For dry soil, you need to add compost or peat; for wet soil, complex additives are added.

In the spring, the bushes need to be fed with nitrogen fertilizers so that the greenery grows more actively. To do this, when loosening the soil under the bushes, add a little humus. In summer, before flowering begins, you need to apply potassium fertilizer. Usually, when watering, potassium nitrate is added to make a solution: 1 tablespoon of nitrate per 5 liters of water, pour 0.5 liters per bush. Autumn feeding is important when the plant stops blooming. At this time, phosphorus-potassium mixtures are added.Autumn fertilizing improves the winter hardiness of the root system.

Attention! Before applying fertilizing, the soil around the bushes must be watered abundantly. This is not done if it has already rained.

Loosening the soil

Astilbe bushes prefer soft, loose loam for active growth. Rains in spring and summer compact the loam, which prevents the root system from breathing and impairs the development of the entire plant. The air permeability of the soil increases loosening; it is recommended to do it 2-3 times a season. Loosening is carried out no deeper than 10 centimeters. Along with loosening, mulching is carried out to keep the soil moist.

Trimming

Flower growers are sure: perennials need pruning after flowering. The stems with flowers are carefully pruned, then, closer to winter, the remaining fading stems are cut off, leaving the root system for mulching and insulation. Snow will add a thermal cushion and protect the roots from frost. By spring, the root system will produce young, strong shoots.

Preparing a flower for winter

The mild climate of the southern latitudes with abundant snow makes it possible not to cover the America astilbe bushes. In preparing bushes for wintering, autumn feeding, pruning of wilted stems, and mulching are important. It is recommended to cut the stems almost to the root, then spud the roots and cover them with a layer of mulch - from 5 to 20 centimeters, depending on the climate zone.

How to propagate bushes

You can plant a bush without digging it out of the ground: free the root system a little from the soil, separate its shoots, and fill the place where the shoots were cut with ash and fresh soil. This is how new seedlings are obtained without damaging the astilbe bush. Seedlings separated in this way begin to flower the following year.

When this division of the bush is carried out in early autumn, it rejuvenates the main plant. In winter, the root system is hard, almost woody, and this method of dividing the bush becomes impossible.

The main problems when growing astilbe America

The process of growing perennial astilbe in open ground is simple, which is what attracts gardeners. The main thing is to choose the right place for the plant.

The location for the bushes should have optimal lighting, sparse shade, and access to direct sun for several hours a day. Another important requirement for proper cultivation of astilbe is a sufficient amount of water. Changes in humidity have a detrimental effect on the appearance of the plant: the development of the root system is delayed, leaves fall off, and decorativeness is lost. In this case, you have to properly water the plant, re-mulch, and provide external spraying with water.