Things Needed
Astilbe ( Astilbe chinensis ) , also known as faux spiraea , is an herbaceous perennial plant prized for its enceinte blossom bunch and ease of ontogeny . The industrial plant flower during ahead of time to mid - summer , usually between June and July . It produces multiple plumage of flowers in shades of white , pink , purple or red , depending on the change . Native to Asia and North America , astilbe require only basic care to flourish in the household garden , and it makes an ideal planting for flower beds and borders around ponds or flow . Hardy in USDA zona 4 through 8 , astilbe plants perform well in most expanse of the United States .
Step 1
Plant astilbe during mid - spring in a locating that receive bright sunup sun and fond good afternoon shade when temperatures peak . select a situation with well - enfeeble , extremely fertile territory for optimal growth . Space astilbe constitute 12 to 24 inches aside .
Step 2
urine astilbe once every five days during the first fighting season of growth to help establish the planting . lessen the relative frequency of water thereafter to once every seven days to keep the soil consistently moist . Do not irrigate during winter , when active growth has finish .
Step 3
Feed the flora doubly per twelvemonth , once during early springiness and again in mid - summertime , using a 5 - 10 - 5 NPK farinaceous fertilizer . body of water the soil lightly before and after applying to dissolve the granules . Apply at the rate described by the instruction manual on the package .
Step 4
practice a 3 - column inch stratum of mulch to the soil surrounding astilbe plants during early winter , just after the first frost of the season , to provide insularism for the roots . Begin the layer at least 3 in from the plant life ’s base to allow air to menstruate freely . Remove the mulch during early springiness , just before fresh growth resumes .
Step 5
Use pruning shears to cut back astilbe to the ground if the foliage begins to turn chocolate-brown and die during summer . The plant will restore if nerveless , moist shape retort , or will stay dormant until the following spring if it is unable to recover .
Tip
Do not dispatch spent astilbe efflorescence ; the dried blossoms are considered ornamental during wintertime . utilise a heavy mulch such as woodwind instrument chips or evergreen boughs to provide great deal of detachment for the plant during the cold wintertime months .
