Astilbe
Astilbes (Astilbe) are rhizomatous perennials from damp woods and stream banks in the mountains of East Asia and North America. Most garden plants are hybrids. From June to August, airy, feathery plumes in white, pink, lilac, purple or deep red rise above finely divided foliage, and once established the clumps can live for decades.
Esposizione e terreno
Astilbes like partial shade, or sun if the soil never dries out. They want a humus-rich, neutral to acidic soil, ideally rather heavy and moisture-retentive, as in a woodland garden. They are fully hardy in Belgium, but suffer quickly in summer drought.
Potatura e cura
Plant from February to April or in September and October. Keep the soil moist in summer, mulch around the base to limit evaporation and add compost each March. Remove faded plumes after flowering, or leave them for winter decoration and cut everything back to about 10 cm in spring. Young plants take two to five years to reach full size.
Utilizzo in giardino
A reliable choice for shade and bog gardens, pond and stream edges, and shady paths, where tall kinds form a haze of colour in the middle of the border and low kinds a carpet at the front. Fresh plumes are lovely in bouquets, and the dried heads remain decorative through winter.
