Updated at: 13-05-2022 - By: Sienna Lewis

When it comes to perennials, Astilbe is among the most eye-catching. Astilbes are easy to grow and maintain in your garden.

Depending on the cultivar, astubes’ bloom clusters can range in size from 6 inches to 2 feet tall.

Astilbes do well in shaded spots. In places where other flowers won’t survive, they are an excellent way to add color and texture.

Astilbe can be planted in only two simple steps if you’d want to learn how. In terms of zones, this herbaceous perennial flourishes from 4 to 9, therefore you aren’t restricted in where you could grow it. Most gardeners, on the other hand, only have access to the plant’s naked roots.

Astilbe are often sold as bare-root, thus it’s important to know how to grow them. If you have access to a greenhouse, you have the added benefit of being able to effectively grow plants. Once they’ve established themselves, they’re ready for transplanting into a new location.

Where to Plant

Moisture levels of ordinary to slightly below normal are ideal for astilbes, which flourish on well-drained soils. Astilbes are an excellent choice for a shaded spot that needs some color and texture. These flowers are prone to sunburn in full sun and prefer regions with light to moderate shade, where many other flowers normally cannot thrive.

How to plant bare-root perennials | Garden Gate

When to Plant

Astilbe plants can be planted in the spring or fall, depending on the climate where you live. Avoid growing Astilbes in the summer because they can’t handle being exposed to the elements for long periods of time. Flowers from these multifaceted beauties can be expected from early summer through fall.

How to Plant

  • Find a spot where the soil is well-drained and the Astilbe gets light to moderate shade, as it will burn in full sunlight. After a severe rain, check your chosen planting position for standing water for 5–6 hours after the rain has stopped. If this happens, find another location or improve the soil’s drainage with peat moss, perlite, and coarse sand.
  • With the roots fanned out slightly and pointed downward and no more than an inch below the soil level, plant your Astilbe root crowns 12–24″ apart.
  • After planting, make sure to give the soil a good soak to help it settle around the roots.

How to Grow

  • If there is no rain, water the plants during the hottest part of the day. It’s better to drink a lot of water once a week than a little bit every day or two.
  • Mulch your newly planted roots to protect them from the freezing and thawing that comes with winter.
  • The time has come to remove the wasted flower stems from your garden after the flowers have completed blooming for the year. For the rest of the growth season, your Astilbes will continue to produce beautiful foliage.
  • Trim off leaves that begin to turn yellow or wilt as cooler fall temperatures arrive with the knowledge that next spring will bring fresh growth.

PLANTING

  • Trim off leaves that begin to turn yellow or wilt when cooler fall temperatures arrive with the assurance that next spring will bring fresh growth.
  • Cut back on dying or yellowing leaves as the season changes, knowing that the next spring will bring new growth.
  • In the spring or fall, depending on the type of plant, divide the plant into sections of about 1 to 3 feet wide.
  • Bare-root plants should be planted in holes 4 to 6 inches deep and at least twice as broad as the plants. Make sure the roots are spread out slightly and directed downwards, with the crown placed about 1 to 2 inches below the surface of the soil. Soil the roots and firmly press them down.
  • Plant the divisions in humus-rich soil that is regularly moist. Plants might die if the soil is too dry.
  • Protect the foliage from the heat of the afternoon sun to extend its life. For severe shadow, the flowering time of Astilbes is reduced.

How to plant bare-root perennials | Garden Gate

GROWING

  • Keep an eye on your astilbes to see if they’re getting enough water. In the absence of rain, water your plants appropriately. When watering, it’s important to water thoroughly rather than just sprinkle on a regular basis.
  • They grow swiftly and form large clusters. As they grow, their crowns may emerge above the earth, so be careful to use humus-rich soil to cover them or remove the clumps and replant them.
  • A well-balanced organic fertilizer should be applied to your astilbes in the spring.
  • Every three to four years, in the spring, split the excessive clumps. Divisions can be planted immediately, or they can be kept in pots and replanted in early summer when they have re-established themselves.
  • As a cutting flower, astilbe are a good choice if you want to bring some blooms indoors.
  • Flower heads should not be removed, as this will not encourage reblooming.
  • After the flowers have completed flowering for the season, you can remove any dead stems. Until the end of the year, your astilbes will continue to show off their beautiful leaf.
  • Leaves turn yellow after their first frost; you can trim them if you choose, and new growth will shoot up in the spring.

PESTS/DISEASES

  • Plant bug with tarnish
  • Powdery mildew
  • Leaves with bacterial stains
  • Astilbe, on the other hand, are deer-proof.
  • “Fanal,” because of its dark green foliage and dark red blooms.
  • This plant’s dark green foliage and delicate white blossoms are known as “Irrlicht.”
  • In honor of the brilliant pink blossoms and vibrant green leaves, the plant is named ‘Venus’

Astilbe Bare Roots

In the early spring, you may be able to purchase astilbe sold bare root at local nurseries. This implies that the root ball has been removed and the plant has been freed of whatever soil it had been grown in before it was delivered to you. It’s time to plant astilbe bare root. A moist peat moss or shredded newspaper-wrapped root ball can be sold as a bare root plant.

Remember that bare root plants are less likely to be destroyed during transportation when you’re considering planting astilbe. Because they have neither leaves or blossoms, asstilbe bare root plants are less likely to be damaged during shipping. Astilbe bare root planting, on the other hand, demands additional attention from the gardener.

Astilbe Bare Root Planting

The first rule of growing aster from bare roots is to make sure the roots are always moist. Do not allow them to become dry at any time. Because of this, the roots of the plants are packed in moist material when they are shipped. The roots should be checked for dampness as soon as they arrive at your door if they were shipped. You may need to add some water if it is too dry.

Bare Root Planting of Astilbe

As long as you remember to keep the roots moist, bare root planting of astilbe is quite straightforward. Upon receiving the plants, be sure to look over the roots and remove any that appear damaged. Planting holes must be dug in the next phase.

You don’t want to have to cram the roots into the sides because there should be enough area for them to spread out entirely. The roots should be spread widely in the hole.

They should be able to fit in a deep enough hole, but the uppermost root should be slightly below the surface of the ground. You can use the dirt you removed to fill in the hole and press it into place. It’s important to water the astilbe consistently until it’s established.

Growing And Caring For Astilbe

Bare root astilbe can be started in the greenhouse, as previously noted, because they develop quicker in warm conditions. Growing astlebe inside under grow lights is a safe and effective method of ensuring that it receives the light it needs. A richer, better-draining soil may necessitate soil amendment.

Because astilbe has so few requirements, it’s easy to take care of them. Watering may be the only thing astilbe needs, and that’s something everyone can do. When it comes to watering, be aware of extrinsic influences that may cause the soil to dry out faster.

Fertilizing astilbe is also a good idea if you want to grow fluffy plumes. Fertilizers strong in phosphorus and cutting back spent plumes are recommended by experienced gardeners to promote healthy growth. It is possible to divide your astilbe after a few years so that you can grow extra plants.

Common Problems In Growing Astilbe

If you’re looking for a low-maintenance plant, look no further than Astilbe. You should be able to keep the bugs at away if you keep an eye on this plant on a regular basis. To prevent bacterial leaf spots and powdery mildew from forming due to inadequate air circulation and humidity, grow the plants in a stable environment like a greenhouse.

How To Plant Astilbe Flower Roots, Astilbe Flowers - YouTube

Another thing to keep in mind is the placement of your plant, especially in relation to the sun. When you plant asters in a greenhouse, you don’t have to worry about them going to seed because of the heat. Astilbe should be kept in an area that is somewhat shaded to avoid drying out and scorching.

Finally, you may have noticed the numerous references to watering your astilbe plants in this essay. Astilbe requires more water than other hardy plants. This does not imply, however, that you will leave the plants submerged in water; rather, you will promote drainage and preserve soil moisture.

Conclusion

Astilbe can be purchased and started from a bare root. But before you freak out, keep in mind that bare root astilbe planting is a rather simple process. Keeping the root moist and planting it in an area where the roots have room to grow are two of the most important concepts here.

Also, due to the high water requirement for astilbe, you should always check the soil and water levels. Astilbe isn’t a demanding plant once it’s established, so you may take heart in that. Its criteria aren’t unusual, and you probably already meet them in your greenhouse or garden.

Astilbe is an easy-to-grow houseplant that may be started from bare roots. However, you still need to exercise adequate care in order to ensure that the plant will thrive. Make sure to keep an eye out for any potential issues with the plant and its surroundings.