Astilbe grows best in partial shade in the warmer seasons, but it can tolerate full sun. Find specific plants with our Plant Finder & Plant Selector. Let us and the community know any tricks or tips you may have, or share any questions in the comments below. Avoid areas with poor drainage. Suggested uses. See our TOS for more details. Astilbe Growing Tips and Benefits. If you choose to divide them in the springtime, do it early during their dormant stage so that once they start growing, they have a full season to establish themselves. If your plants have naturalised beside water they are probably best left well alone. If the soil is poor, dig 12 inches deep and mix some rich compost into the hole before you plant. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. The central clump and thick, fleshy roots of an astilbe are tough and difficult to cut. She holds a BA in English literature with a minor in horticultural sciences from Clemson University, and she loves to read, write, and garden. This means that you dig up the plant's root ball and literally divide it by cutting it into several pieces. 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. With additional writing and editing by Mike Quinn and Allison Sidhu. 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. They have fern-like foliage and colorful flowers ranging from pink to red or white. Dividing your astilbe is easy, so incorporate this into your gardening practice for beautiful astilbe year after year! Heavy flowering selection is excellent for use as an edging plant and in foreground plantings. About astilbes Astilbe does best in regions with cool, moist summers. There are some plants that will not top six inches while others may finish their season at a whopping four feet tall – buyer beware! She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. The best gifts are unexpected! One single plant can turn your backyard (if it’s shady enough!) Sun Requirements: Full to partial shade. Allow me to introduce you to the magic of the perennial, shade loving, Astilbe. Astilbes do best when they are divided about every three years. 5. Performs best in evenly moist soil. If Alexis is not in a pasture learning the names of all the growing green things, you can find her in her garden growing fruit, veggies, and flowers. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Here are our simple tips for dividing perennials: Lift plants gently with a garden fork, working outwards from the crown’s centre to limit root damage. The Venus variety has bright green foliage and bright pink blossoms. Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. Astilbe spp. Cultivation. Astilbes do best when they are divided about every three years. Repeat this process for each of the astilbe plants you want to divide. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. 3. One parent plant will typically render 4-5 new transplants. Divide or plant in early spring or by mid-September. She earned a BA in Environmental and Sustainability Studies from Western Michigan University in 2014. Cooler temperatures are best for dividing astilbe, so plan your divisions for the spring. 2. The Astilbe look best when mass-planted, and are ideal for surrounding ponds, or naturalizing in a wild garden. Lauren Kurtz is a Naturalist and Horticultural Specialist. Astilbe are shade-tolerant plants with average moisture needs. \/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. Plants should never be allowed to dry out. 8. Bloom time: Early to midsummer. They grow up to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall and they can multiply quickly, so it is important to divide your astilbe regularly. Taking some extra time to divide and thereby multiply the Astilbe in your garden beds is worth it. I am now comfortable to try it. Let the water settle in for a bit. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. The Astilbe look best when mass-planted, and are ideal for surrounding ponds, or naturalizing in a wild garden. Dividing your astilbe should be done in late summer or early autumn. How to divide perennials. 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. Colors vary from white to dark shades of purple and pink. For example, if there are only 2 or 3 clumps per plant, then it's too soon to divide. Astilbe, like many perennials, can be divided if the root clump gets too large. Astilbe plants need moisture, but too much will cause them to rot. This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. Add some mature compost and peat moss to the soil. Alexis Morin is an avid gardener who resides on and manages a horse ranch in north Texas. However, you can expect to see blooms starting in year 2 and onward! A cup of water every two to three weeks should be just fine! Plant in moist, fertile, humus-rich soil in full sun or partial shade. . This article was co-authored by Lauren Kurtz. The most critical growing factor for Astilbe is water. Soil requirements: Moisture-retentive, acidic soil. 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 Take the parent Astilbe plant with both hands and gently divide the rhizomes by identifying the “eyes,” and pinching off pieces of root with 3-5 eyes. Use a shovel to sever the roots in a circle 8 to 12 inches outward from the base of each astilbe. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Moving and dividing the bulbs remains integral to growing daffodils, well worth getting the hang of. On drier soils, incorporate plenty of well rotted manure or compost prior to planting and choose a shaded position. Alexis once managed a sizable CSA operation in Valley Center, Kansas, and her specialization is in growing high quality organic vegetables. Astilbe hybrids are clump-forming perennials that form mounds of dark green, ferny foliage. 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). 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. A boggy soil next to a pond or stream is ideal. Some of these links may be affiliate in nature, meaning we earn small commissions if items are purchased. If there are 5 or more clumps, then now is a good time to divide. 6. Astilbe require frequent irrigation. into a charming oasis bathed in lavish plumes and lacy foliage. Dividing & Transplanting needs: Astilbe will spread over time. 1. Botanical Name: Astilbe. Try to make sure that the mulch isn’t too thick over the top of the new transplants. Astilbe is also called false spirea or false goat’s beard for good reason. Another common name is false goat's beard. COPYRIGHT © 2021 ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. 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. Have you ever divided your Astilbe? They can be used for cut flowers, but they are probably best if left in the yard where … Astilbe plants vary in size and color. There are few greater joys than beautifying our gardens. Zones: 4-9 If you need to add some pizzazz to your shade garden, astilbe should be at the top of your planting list. Astilbe plants require rich fertile soil that remains permanently moist, even in the height of summer. 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. I just bought my first Astilbe plants. Make sure to locate the plants in light to moderate shade. Wish me luck! 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 1. Place it in your garage or cellar, in a dark and cool location, and wait until spring to decide what you want to do with them. Thanks for informative diagrams.". "I had no idea of how to separate my astilbe. Astilbe produces an attractive mound of glossy, fernlike foliage topped with delicate plumes of colorful flowers. 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. Astilbes are valuable in moist shade for long-lasting color. Plan to do it when there are a few days of rain forecasted. Special Features & Videos on Astilbes . Let the water settle in for a bit. Dividing Astilbe Plants. The holes should be about 8 inches deep and 12-24 inches apart. Now that you’ve decided on the optimal location for your freshly divided Astilbe, let’s talk division and multiplication! You may also divide the astilbe in the fall as long as the temperatures are cool. Any rhizomes showing signs of mold, rot, or decay should be discarded. Keep soil moist in spring and summer. We occasionally link to goods offered by vendors to help the reader find relevant products. Filtered sun. 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. Feathery, bright white plumes are held above rich, glossy green foliage in summer. above the soil. They bloom red, pink, white and lavender in upright or slightly arching plumes. Water the area around the plant that you are planning to divide, to loosen the soil. The holes should be about 8 inches deep and 12-24 inches apart. Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered. 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. 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. 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 Since astilbe plants thrive in partial to full shade, choose a suitable planting spot in your backyard. Ideally, to keep your parent plants healthy, you’ll want to divide them about every four years. Heavy feeders, astilbe prefer spring fertilization. Special Features & Videos on Astilbes . 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. 9. Clear away any debris or old plant material from the top of the parent plant with your hands. above the soil. You may also divide the astilbe in the fall as long as the temperatures are cool. Now plant those fresh transplants into the holes you previously dug, and gently cover with soil. Astilbe can be successfully divided in fall or early spring. To divide your plant, you need to carefully dig up the whole root ball getting as many of the roots as possible. If you are dividing in spring, do it when new spring growth stands just a few inches (5 to 10 cm.) The day before dividing, thoroughly water the plant’s root zone. Increase watering as the foliage emerges and plumes mature. 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. When dividing perennials, timing and technique are important. You don’t want to water the pots much during the winter while they are dormant, but try not to let them get so dry that the roots shrivel. Astilbe can tolerate sun, but only if the soil is moist. 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. Once autumn and winter roll around, the light patterns will change. Their foliage also varies from greenish bronze to dark green, depending on the cultivar and the soil’s available nutrients. Water in the transplants with a good soak. I wasn’t sure how these grew or how to propagate them–and this has helped tremendously! Lauren has worked for Aurora, Colorado managing the Water-Wise Garden at Aurora Municipal Center for the Water Conservation Department. GARDENER'S PATH® IS A REGISTERED TRADEMARK OF ASK THE EXPERTS LLC. Your newly transplanted Astilbe are not likely to bloom in their first growing season. Flower spikes 15 to 18 inches tall, foliage to 10 inches high. If divided in fall, you can directly replant the new divisions, or you can store them in pots in your garage for the winter to gift to your friends, or for planting in your garden the following spring. This article has been viewed 15,379 times. You can transplant most flowers, including astilbe, whenever you want to give them more advantageous positions in the garden. Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Waterside. However, if you want to keep it contained in a flower garden, divide it after the third year of growth or when the plant seems to be growing out of bounds. Herbaceous perennial. Will not thrive in soils that dry out. 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”). {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Divide-Astilbe-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Divide-Astilbe-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/eb\/Divide-Astilbe-Step-1.jpg\/aid10047893-v4-728px-Divide-Astilbe-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"