Astilbe x arendsii 'Showstar' (Astilbe 'Showstar') will reach a height of 0.5m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years. And while many perennials can be divided in either early spring or early fall, some are very picky. Astilbe grows best in partial shade in the warmer seasons, but it can tolerate full sun. Soil requirements: Moisture-retentive, acidic soil. Colors vary from white to dark shades of purple and pink. Now that you’ve decided on the optimal location for your freshly divided Astilbe, let’s talk division and multiplication! Sun Requirements: Full to partial shade. If there is still too much dirt near the base to make out the individual crowns, then rinse away the dirt with some cool water. Create a “donut” shape around the new plant. Water the area around the plant that you are planning to divide, to loosen the soil. Thanks for informative diagrams.". Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Waterside. Let the water settle in for a bit. The large plumes of frothy flowers arrive … I wasn’t sure how these grew or how to propagate them–and this has helped tremendously! Make sure to locate the plants in light to moderate shade. They are very tolerant of shade and thrive in damp locations, so are ideal for placing near a pond but equally are impressive in containers or as part of a border display. The last element of the process, if you choose to embark on it in the fall, is a great big dose of patience. She holds a BA in English literature with a minor in horticultural sciences from Clemson University, and she loves to read, write, and garden. Alexis once managed a sizable CSA operation in Valley Center, Kansas, and her specialization is in growing high quality organic vegetables. Moving and dividing the bulbs remains integral to growing daffodils, well worth getting the hang of. Any rhizomes showing signs of mold, rot, or decay should be discarded. The holes should be about 8 inches deep and 12-24 inches apart. Dividing Astilbe Plants. Another common name is false goat's beard. If you are dividing in spring, do it when new spring growth stands just a few inches (5 to 10 cm.) Water the area around the plant that you are planning to divide, to loosen the soil. Astilbe ‘Deutschland’ – shorter than other astilbes, and flowers a little earlier.Plants have almost shiny foliage and bear masses of pure white flowers; Astilbe ‘Rheinland’ – a compact variety, with dark green/bronze leaves and masses of light pink flowers. Dividing the plants in the summer or when the weather is too warm can be a shock to your plants and may even kill them. Heavy feeders, astilbe prefer spring fertilization. If your plants have naturalised beside water they are probably best left well alone. Prepare the bed by turning the soil under to a depth of 6-12, inches removing any debris, and lightly raking as level as possible. The Astilbe look best when mass-planted, and are ideal for surrounding ponds, or naturalizing in a wild garden. I just bought my first Astilbe plants. Now plant those fresh transplants into the holes you previously dug, and gently cover with soil. You want the top of the transplant, where the eyes are emerging, to be facing up towards the sky and placed about 1 inch below the soil’s surface. Ideally, to keep your parent plants healthy, you’ll want to divide them about every four years. On drier soils, incorporate plenty of well rotted manure or compost prior to planting and choose a shaded position. above the soil. 7. There are some plants that will not top six inches while others may finish their season at a whopping four feet tall – buyer beware! Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. If it is autumn and you want to store your divisions instead of directly replanting the rhizomes into your garden beds, you can plant each new transplant in well-draining potting soil in a medium-sized pot. Clump-forming to … Wish me luck! Taking some extra time to divide and thereby multiply the Astilbe in your garden beds is worth it. They have fern-like foliage and colorful flowers ranging from pink to red or white. Astilbe, like many perennials, can be divided if the root clump gets too large. Clear away any debris or old plant material from the top of the parent plant with your hands. She believes that soil, like food, brings people together! Wait until spring to cut back. Astilbe require frequent irrigation. Since astilbe plants thrive in partial to full shade, choose a suitable planting spot in your backyard. Will not thrive in soils that dry out. Spread some mulch in a circular pattern around the plant to create a weed barrier, if you wish. One single plant can turn your backyard (if it’s shady enough!) Astilbe japonica. Astilbes require acidic soil, with a pH ideally below 6.0. 4. 1. Astilbe plants need moisture, but too much will cause them to rot. GARDENER'S PATH® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. However, in a border context, best practice would be to lift and divide astilbe clumps every three or four years. When to Transplant Daffodils Daffodils can be lifted year round, even when “in the green,” although moving them while they bloom often means losing out on the following year’s bloom. Astilbe arendsii Fanal - dark red, 26” tall Astilbe arendsii Sister Theresa - salmon-pink, 24” tall Astilbe arendsii Snowdrift - white, 26” tall Astilbe chinensis Visions - purple-red, 14” tall Astilbe chinensis Visions in Pink - deep pink, 24” tall Astilbe japonica Rheinland - rose-pink, 24” tall Lastly, if you have no place to plant your new transplants, put them in a bucket, print this guide, and march yourself over to your neighbor’s house. Special Features & Videos on Astilbes . 4 Astilbe Collection BUY 8 GET 4 FREE - click here These amazing perennials produce spectacular feathery plumes surrounded by dense fern like foliage from June to August. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. . For more information about this amazing flower, be sure to check out some of these guides: © Ask the Experts, LLC. Plant in moist, fertile, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade. Astilbe are shade-tolerant plants with average moisture needs. However, you can expect to see blooms starting in year 2 and onward! Increase watering as the foliage emerges and plumes mature. In the spring, you may choose to fertilize with a mix that has a lower nitrogen (N) ratio with higher levels of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K). Addition of compost will also increase the content of essential organic matte… The optimal time to divide specific perennials is denoted by (S) for spring and (F) for early fall. VIDEO Introduction to Dividing Perennials Offsets To divide a plant whose roots form offsets (small plants growing at the base of a larger one), snap the connection between any of the sections to obtain a piece with ample roots and three or more growing points (or “eyes”). A cup of water every two to three weeks should be just fine! Astilbe can be successfully divided in fall or early spring. It also aids better moisture retention. The fireworks of Astilbe plumes will be well worth the wait, I assure you. 5. Dividing Astilbe Plants. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. This article has been viewed 15,379 times. COPYRIGHT © 2021 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Dig holes for the new transplants. License: Creative Commons\/a> \n\/p> \n. When dividing perennials, timing and technique are important. The day before dividing, thoroughly water the plant’s root zone. Remember that if you choose this route, you’ll need to follow steps 2-4 and 7-9 as described above the following spring, when the ground has begun to warm up and you are ready to plant. You may also divide the astilbe in the fall as long as the temperatures are cool. Astilbe is also called false spirea or false goat’s beard for good reason. Performs best in evenly moist soil. The central clump and thick, fleshy roots of an astilbe are tough and difficult to cut. Plan to do it when there are a few days of rain forecasted. Keep soil moist in spring and summer. Alexis Morin is an avid gardener who resides on and manages a horse ranch in north Texas. above the soil. About astilbes Astilbe does best in regions with cool, moist summers. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Flower spikes 15 to 18 inches tall, foliage to 10 inches high. Dig holes for the new transplants. Divide or plant in early spring or by mid-September. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. We’re going to talk about how you can take that one parent plant you bought at the nursery and transform it into as many baby plants as your heart desires. This … Wait to divide the rhizomes until after the plants have finished flowering. Special Plant Features & Tips. You don’t need to think about transplanting astilbe or dividing astilbe plants every year, but calendar the task for every two to four years. into a charming oasis bathed in lavish plumes and lacy foliage. See our TOS for more details. Move the plant into the shade to prevent drying out. 3. Astilbe is the new must-have plant for shady garden plots, adding color, height and texture that breaks up the boredom of one-dimensional groundcovers and mounded plants. Astilbes do best when they are divided about every three years. They can be used for cut flowers, but they are probably best if left in the yard where … Thank you for this! Their foliage also varies from greenish bronze to dark green, depending on the cultivar and the soil’s available nutrients. They grow up to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall and they can multiply quickly, so it is important to divide your astilbe regularly. Astilbes do best when they are divided about every three years. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Zones: 4-9 If you need to add some pizzazz to your shade garden, astilbe should be at the top of your planting list. Dividing your astilbe should be done in late summer or early autumn. Once autumn and winter roll around, the light patterns will change. Make sure to pay attention to which varieties you purchase at the nursery, lest you unknowingly plant a variety that may form a veritable forest. Heavy flowering selection is excellent for use as an edging plant and in foreground plantings. If the desired result is a swath of plants along a pond, on the edge of a forest or in the garden, then dividing isn't necessary. Astilbes are valuable in moist shade for long-lasting color. They bloom red, pink, white and lavender in upright or slightly arching plumes. A boggy soil next to a pond or stream is ideal. Plan to divide in the spring. Even after the flowers fade in summer, many gardeners leave them on the plant for the attractive seed heads. Be careful not to harm the root ball as you do this. \/p>\/div>"} Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker.. Astilbe Dividing. For more information on dividing astilbe plants, read on. The Astilbe look best when mass-planted, and are ideal for surrounding ponds, or naturalizing in a wild garden. The addition of organic matter (leaf mold, compost, well-rotted manure) benefits all gardens and is … Allow me to introduce you to the magic of the perennial, shade loving, Astilbe. Measure a diameter of approximately 12-16 inches around the plant (or for a quick measure, you can use a 5-gallon bucket to get the right diameter), and mark it. The best gifts are unexpected! Without regular divisions, astilbe may wither from overcrowding. Add some mature compost and peat moss to the soil. The plume-like flowers bloom in colors such as pink, red, peach, white, lavender and purple. Astilbe Transplanting. For example, if there are only 2 or 3 clumps per plant, then it's too soon to divide. "I had no idea of how to separate my astilbe. Addition of sulfur pellets is useful in increasing the acidity of the soil. Bloom time: Early to midsummer. Astilbe can tolerate sun, but only if the soil is moist. How to Move. Botanical Name: Astilbe. Shake off excess soil so that roots are clearly visible; Some plants, such as Ajuga (bugle), produce individual plantlets which can simply be teased out and replanted This means that you dig up the plant's root ball and literally divide it by cutting it into several pieces. Astilbe spp. 2. Gently separate the clumps … Find specific plants with our Plant Finder & Plant Selector. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Cooler temperatures are best for dividing astilbe, so plan your divisions for the spring. 9 Steps for Dividing your Astilbe. Astilbe prefer fertile soil and will not prosper in chalky soils. Water in the transplants with a good soak. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. I have been wanting them for years and now we have the room! Imagine digging out the roots in the shape of a generous salad bowl, with plenty of soil intact to avoid damaging the root structure. Filtered sun. Special Features & Videos on Astilbes . By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. There are few greater joys than beautifying our gardens. Astilbe plants require rich fertile soil that remains permanently moist, even in the height of summer. Photo by: Gabriela Beres / Shutterstock. The Venus variety has bright green foliage and bright pink blossoms. Wait until after the current blooms have died, dividing them on a cool early fall day. Let the water settle in for a bit. Spring, Fall: Clump: Divide in early spring or after it stops blooming in late summer to early fall; will bloom better with division every 2 to 3 years: Bachelor’s button Centaurea montana: Spring, Fall: Clump: Easy to divide; needs to be divided every 1 to 2 years to keep plants vigorous: Bearded iris Astilbe plants require rich fertile soil that remains permanently moist, even in the height of summer. How did it go? Divide … Astilbe does not do well in full sun—too much sun will cause its leaves to burn. How to Winterize Astilbe Plants: 5 Easy Steps, 15 of the Best Woody Shrubs for Fall Color, How to Grow Garden Pinks for Old-Fashioned Charm, A Medicinal and Visual Delight: How to Grow Feverfew, How to Train Pumpkins to Grow on a Trellis, 11 of the Best Blue Asters to Add to the Garden, How to Identify and Treat Pecan Twig Dieback Disease, 7 Tips for Growing Formal and Informal Forsythia Hedges, 7 Tips You Need to Keep Fresh Flowers Fabulous. I am now comfortable to try it. Your newly transplanted Astilbe are not likely to bloom in their first growing season. Another option is to plan to divide the astilbe a couple of days after it rains. A boggy soil next to a pond or stream is ideal. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. Avoid areas with poor drainage. The eyes will have small shoots growing from them, like a forgotten potato that starts to sprout after a few weeks. Feathery, bright white plumes are held above rich, glossy green foliage in summer. By using our site, you agree to our. If you are propagating from a plant that you’re already familiar with from your backyard, you can expect a similar height from the propagated (or “baby”) plant as displayed by the parent plant. Have you ever divided your Astilbe? Astilbe hybrids are clump-forming perennials that form mounds of dark green, ferny foliage. It’s perfect for growing towards the front of … % of people told us that this article helped them. If you are dividing in the fall, cut the plant back to about six inches (15 cm.) Herbaceous perennial. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Dividing your astilbe is easy, so incorporate this into your gardening practice for beautiful astilbe year after year! This will help improve drainage, which is essential to the healthy growth of astilbes. 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