Information About Astilbe

Astilbe, genus of about 14 species of herbaceous perennials, in the family Saxifragaceae, native to eastern Asia and North America. They are often grown in gardens for their erect, featherlike flower spikes of white, yellow, pink, magenta, or purple, which rise above clumps of fernlike leaves from mid- to late summer.

How much sun can astilbe take?
How fast does astilbe spread?
How do you take care of astilbes?
Do Astilbes like shade?
Does astilbe multiply?
Does astilbe bloom all summer?
What does astilbe symbolize?
Do astilbe bloom more than once?
When should astilbe be pruned?
Should I deadhead my astilbe?
How do you keep astilbe blooming?
Is astilbe poisonous to dogs?

How much sun can astilbe take?

SUN AND SHADE Astilbe perform best in partial shade, but they will also grow in full shade. In cool, northern climates, most astilbe varieties will tolerate full day sun. ZONE: Astilbes are winter hardy in zones 3-8. WHEN TO PLANT Astilbes should be planted in spring, when the soil is cool and moist.

How fast does astilbe spread?

Most astilbes spread easily, so divide your plants every 3 to 5 years to prevent overcrowding and to keep them vigorous and healthy.

How do you take care of astilbes?

All astilbes, even the more drought-tolerant varieties, prefer cool, moist soil rich in organic matter. Keep the soil evenly damp but not soggy, especially during the winter when plants are dormant. Avoid planting in heavy clay soils and sites with poor drainage.

Do Astilbes like shade?

Astilbes need to grow in a dappled or part shady location in moisture retentive soil to thrive. They will not tolerate dry soils. They can however tolerate more sun, as long as the soil doesn't dry out, so make good plants for a bog garden or waterside planting.

Does astilbe multiply?

Astilbe are shade-tolerant plants with average moisture needs. They have fern-like foliage and colorful flowers ranging from pink to red or white. They grow up to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall and they can multiply quickly, so it is important to divide your astilbe regularly.

Does astilbe bloom all summer?

Astilbe japonica selections typically bloom in late spring and early summer; Astilbe chinensis cultivars typically bloom in mid- to late summer. Select both types to enjoy astilbes practically all summer long. Learn more about astilbe.

What does astilbe symbolize?

Astilbe flowers are a symbol of patience and dedication to a beloved one. If you give this flower away, you give the promise that you will be waiting for this person. The flower is long blooming, this symbolize the dedication to the loved one.

Do astilbe bloom more than once?

Astilbes bloom between late spring and late summer. They flower over a fairly long season since each flower plume consists of hundreds of densely packed tiny flowers, opening in succession. However, they do not all flower at the same time and are classified with a blooming time, ranging from Early to Late season.

When should astilbe be pruned?

Pruning. Extremely little maintenance is required of astilbe plants. The flower heads will dry on the plant and remain attractive for many months. The flowers can be cut whenever they start to look ragged, or left up for winter interest and cut back in the spring.

Should I deadhead my astilbe?

Deadheading astilbe won't encourage new flowers, so you should leave them in place through the fall. Eventually, the flowers will dry on the stalks but should stay in place. When winterizing astilbe plants, you can cut all the foliage off, leaving just a 3-inch (7.5 cm) stem above ground.

How do you keep astilbe blooming?

They love rich, moist soil. An annual spring dose of 5-10-5 organic fertilizer helps them produce their beautiful blooms year after year from spring through summer.

Is astilbe poisonous to dogs?

Astilbe may be some of the taller plants in your perennial shade garden, as they grow to heights between 2 and 5 feet. ... This is one of the easier-to-grow shade perennials since it requires minimal care beyond basic watering. Both astilbe and yellow corydalis are non-toxic to dogs.