Astilba is an ornamental plant that has long been used in landscape design. This flower is great for growing in country and garden plots, in parks and gardens, as well as in indoor pots. In nature, grows up to 40 species of shrubs. They can be found in North America, Japan, East Asia and the Far Eastern region of Russia. It usually grows where there is moist soil: along the banks of streams, rivers and lakes, in forests. Of only 10 initial specimens, breeders bred 200 decorative varieties, which today have become an ornament of any site.
General information
Astilba is valued for its beauty during and after flowering. Each new variety has its own distinctive characteristics. Shrubs are striking in a variety of colors in shape and color. There are all shades of red, lilac, purple, salmon, pale pink and dazzling white. Inflorescences are pyramidal, drooping, paniculate and rhombic. There is astilbe perennial or annual, varies in height and flowering time. Not all varieties of these luxurious colors are used in the design of plots or parks, only about 30. The most popular groups are: Japanese, Chinese, curly, leafy, as well as hybrid Arends, Lemoine, Thunberg.
Astilba group landing
Interesting! In the history of the discovery of the plant, there is such a fact: Lord Hamilton, a traveler from Holland, first saw these inconspicuous flowers in China in 1825. They did not impress him much, but for the collection he brought several samples to Europe. The name was given to them by "astilbe", which is translated from Latin as "without shine."
So the flower would have remained in oblivion, because it was grown only for cutting into bouquets. But the French botanist-breeder Victor Lemoine drew attention to the perennial, appreciating its natural virtues. He first developed decorative varieties of this plant. Georg Arends, a German scientist, continued work on the selection of the species, which became his life's work. 84 varieties of garden astilbe were bred in his greenhouse, many of which received gold medals at exhibitions more than once. The further fate of the decorative oriental shrub is a real drama. They forgot about him for a long time. Only in the 60s of the 20th century, breeders from the Netherlands and Latvia gave Astilbe a second life. They resumed research on the creation of new garden plant varieties.
Astilba Japanese Peach Blossom
The decorative perennial Astilba Japanese Peach Blossom grows to 60-80 cm in height. The pale pink panicled inflorescences of a beautiful woman from Japan bloom in June and bloom for four weeks. Her unusual reddish or red leaves are distinguished by carved fringe on the sides. Pink Peach Blossom inflorescences have a peach hue. A feature of the Japanese astilbe is a very magnificent flowering before wilting. But Peach Blossom will not have many flowers if it grows in the shade.
Peach Blossom - an early flowering cultivar of astilbe
Astilba Darwin's Dream
This plant is part of a hybrid group of 40 varieties of Georg Arends. Grows on fertile loam. A beautiful shrub with panicle inflorescences of different colors (white, lilac, pink, red) opens buds in July-August. The plant fits perfectly into group plantings, especially against the background of conifers. Equally planted specimens are no less spectacular. Astilba Darwin s dream has powerful roots growing close to the surface of the earth. He loves moist soil and good partial shade, so it will bloom even on the north side of the site.
Astilba Darvins Dream - flower garden decoration
Astilba Vision in Pink
Hybrid plant bred in the Netherlands. It belongs to the group of varieties Vision. Astilba vision in pink grows to half a meter during the flowering period. Blue or green leaves appear in mid-April. The buds bloom in late June - early July and bloom until the end of August. The name was due to the rich pink color of the inflorescences. Gentle fluffy panicles of astilbe in pink hold tight on high stems. Shrubs are beautiful even after flowering. Propagated by division of the roots after 3 years.
Astilba Vision in Pink - Garden Star
Astilba Milk and Honey
Perennial Chinese shrub milk and honey astilbe of small stature, along with inflorescences grows up to 40-60 cm. Like all flowers of this family, it loves moist fertile soil, but is more heat-loving and tolerant of drought than its "sisters". Therefore, it must be planted on the sunny side. It tolerates frosts.
The leaves on the stems grow densely. The young foliage has a silver-colored pattern that repeats the veins, which gradually turns green. In the phase of active flowering, the astilbe milk and honey blossoms with candles white inflorescences, which turn pink by the end of summer.
Astilba Milk & Honey Bloomed
Astilba Superba
Perennial from China grows to 1 m in height. An adult plant has powerful, rhizome-like rhizomes and a straight strong stalk with a lush crown of greenery. Inflorescences of pink, lilac and lilac color open in late August and bloom until mid-September. Hybrid Astilba superba grows well on fertilized moist soils. He needs a light shadow, because under direct sunlight, the flowers become pale.
Astilba Superba loves partial shade
Interesting! With the Chinese Superboy in beauty and strict elegance, a black and blue hybrid of Astilba can compete, which differs in growth (up to 90 cm) and fluffy lilac-lilac air flowers. It can be planted in containers and decorated with borders.
Astilba Younique Carmine
The hybrid astilbe variety Unic Carmine is bred in Holland. The compactness and decorativeness of the bush with a height of not more than 50 cm allows you to use it for planting in a group of 4-5 species of one variety. A carmine color flower planted next to other plants will look even more interesting. Younique carmine Astilba seedlings can be planted in any month of spring and summer.
Important! Young seedlings must be watered regularly, and planted in a shaded place in breathable fertilized soil.
Flowering carmine astilbe lasts two months. Inflorescences cover the bush with such a dense carpet that creates the effect of an air bright red, pink, purple or white cloud, depending on the type of flower. Green leaves with serrations along the edge densely wrap the stems. The roots of the plant grow in a special way, growing not in depth, but on top of the soil. Therefore, in winter they need to be well sprinkled with earth and insulated. Rhizomes can be separated and planted in 4-5 years in early spring. The distance between astilbe plants should be at least 35 cm. Decorativeity and small growth allow you to grow a miniature flower in pots on the window.
Carmine Cloud Astilbe Younique Carmine
Astilba Cappuccino
This hybrid variety is an excellent example of the painstaking work of breeders. Astilbe Cappuccino's flower is so beautiful that looking at it creates a feeling of lightness and airiness. Against the background of dark green leaves towering groups of inflorescences, collected in a bouquet. This specimen is so vulnerable that it is impossible to plant it in areas exposed to the sun - delicate greens quickly curl and dry out, getting burns. Flowers also wither and dry under hot rays.
But the plant does not welcome a deep shadow - it begins to lag behind in growth. Very demanding on timely watering and top dressing. In the description of the advantages of the astilbe Cappuccino, it should be noted that it grows well on any soil. In a word, beauty requires attention and worthy care.
Astilba Cappuccino - a very delicate and moody flower
Astilba Maggie Daily
Like another compatriot from China, Astilba Superba, Maggie Daily also opens her buds late, only at the end of summer, and finishes flowering in the fall. Ornamental shrubs 50-60 cm high are covered with dark green leaves. The plant is crowned with raspberry or pink inflorescences. You need to plant Maggie Daily astilbe on moist soil of light structure. The hybrid grows and throws color only in places where there is an openwork shadow. He does not like direct hits of hot rays.
Astilba Maggie Daily
Astilba Hip Hop
This variety has an unusual color of flowers - pink and red in one instance. It begins to bloom in mid-spring, in May. This unique plant easily tolerates heat and forty-degree frosts. But it is hygrophilous, so watering requires regular.
Astilba Hip Hop gets along well on a flower bed along with such "neighbors" as phlox and carnations. The astilbe flower with roses looks wonderful. The bush and in solo design also looks spectacular, especially if bushes or conifers grow in the background.
Astilba Hip Hop Original Flowers
Astilba Delft Lays
This selection appeared due to the works of the German botanist Georg Arends. On his account a lot of cultivated species. This rather large (up to 80 cm in height and 50 cm in width) ornamental shrub is notable for low maintenance requirements. The main thing for him is not to dry the soil and at the same time to prevent moisture stagnation. Then the plant will delight all summer with bright pink colors and a delicate aroma of flowers, which attracts clouds of butterflies and bees.
Most affects the shrub with its leaves, which gradually change color: in the spring - they are burgundy, in the summer - green, and by autumn they turn blue. Delft is the first capital of the Netherlands. Astilba Delft Leys (or Delphic lace) received this name due to the carved shape of the leaves.
High shrubs are resilient and are not afraid of strong, up to - 35 degrees, frosts. In the description of the agrotechnical features of the astilba Delft Leys plant, we can add that it blooms for a long time in areas with high groundwater.
Astilba Delft Lays - the most frost-resistant hybrid
Astilba and Volzhanka
Important! Astilbe-like flowers are quite common. Most often it is confused with Volzhanka (arunkus). They have a lot in common, but there are also distinctive features.
Astilba and Volzhanka characteristic differences:
- color: in Volzhanka - only white, in Astilba - a variety of colors (from white to purple);
- the form of inflorescences in Volzhanka is only drooping panicles, in astilba there are still rhombic, pyramidal and panicled;
- height - arunkus grows up to 2 meters, the highest astilbe - not higher than 1 m.
- Volzhanka belongs to the Rosaceae family, astilbe belongs to the Kamnelomkov family.
The history of the name Volzhanka is interesting. Previously, this plant, similar to an astilbe shrub, was called a "goat beard." The botanist Carl Linney changed his name to "arunkus", but left the old meaning. "Arynkos" from Greek is translated only as "goat beard".
Very often, for beginners and professional gardeners, the question arises: "Is Astilba poisonous or not?". The question is fair, because the plant comes from the East, therefore, exotic. The answer is simple: "No." Moreover, its grass is used to treat certain skin diseases, and decoctions of the roots are used for snake bites.
Designer fantasy in the design of the garden
This article does not describe all of the most beautiful varieties of astilbe. To create unusual landscape compositions, you can use not only medium - and tall bushes to build multi-tiered flower beds. A wonderful addition will be the miniature curly varieties Liliput and Perkeo, which can be located on the lowest tier. It all depends on the designer's idea. Astilba is a plant not only not spoiled, but also perfectly adapted to various agricultural and climatic conditions. This means that it is convenient and easy to grow at different sites and sites.
