Astilbe Winter Care How To Winterize Astilbe Plants

When winterizing astilbe plants, you can cut all the foliage off, leaving just a 3-inch (7.5 cm) stem above ground. It makes astilbe winter care a little easier, and all new growth will come back to replace it in the spring. You can also save the flowers for dry arrangements indoors.

Does astilbe die back winter?

Astilbes are a group of plants which will tolerate semi shade and so are useful for those parts of the garden which do not have the benefit of much sun. ... Astilbe are a herbaceous perennial which means they die back to bare earth over winter and re grow each spring.

Do you trim back Astilbe?

Pruning. Extremely little maintenance is required of astilbe plants. The flower heads will dry on the plant and remain attractive for many months. The flowers can be cut whenever they start to look ragged, or left up for winter interest and cut back in the spring.

When should astilbe be separated?

Cut them back in the spring. You can also divide the plant (digging a piece out with a shovel) in early spring or fall, but not before the third year. Dividing your astilbes is healthy for the plant and encourages growth, and divided plants will look exactly like the original plant.

Does astilbe come back each year?

Astilbe is a shade-loving perennial that produces soft, feathery plumes of color. Blooming in spring, its foliage remians throughout the season to help keep the garden bed looking full and fresh.

What can I plant next to astilbe?

There are quite a few plants that meet these astilbe companion planting qualifications. Rhododendrons, azaleas, and hostas all prefer shade and grow in a very wide range of hardiness zones. Coral bells are a relative of astilbe and have more or less identical planting requirements.

Do astilbe plants spread?

Most astilbes spread easily, so divide your plants every 3 to 5 years to prevent overcrowding and to keep them vigorous and healthy.

Do astilbe bloom more than once?

Astilbes bloom between late spring and late summer. They flower over a fairly long season since each flower plume consists of hundreds of densely packed tiny flowers, opening in succession. However, they do not all flower at the same time and are classified with a blooming time, ranging from Early to Late season.

Should you cut back astilbe after flowering?

Caring for astilbes

Astilbes are easy to care for, provided they're growing in the right growing conditions. They don't need deadheading. Simply cut back plants after flowering and divide every three or four years.

What perennials should not be cut back in the fall?

Don't cut back marginally hardy perennials like garden mums (Chrysanthemum spp.), anise hyssop (Agastache foeniculum), red-hot poker (Kniphofia uvaria), and Montauk daisy (Nipponanthemum nipponicum).

Does astilbe multiply?

Astilbe are shade-tolerant plants with average moisture needs. They have fern-like foliage and colorful flowers ranging from pink to red or white. They grow up to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall and they can multiply quickly, so it is important to divide your astilbe regularly.

How many astilbe Can I plant together?

Like most perennials, astilbes look their best in groups of three or more plants of the same color.

How long do astilbe flowers last?

They bloom for 2 to 3 weeks. Depending on the variety, astilbes flower from early to late summer. Early blooming varieties begin to flower in late May or June while late bloomers begin in late July or early August.

Are astilbe poisonous to dogs?

Astilbe may be some of the taller plants in your perennial shade garden, as they grow to heights between 2 and 5 feet. ... This is one of the easier-to-grow shade perennials since it requires minimal care beyond basic watering. Both astilbe and yellow corydalis are non-toxic to dogs.

What plants should you cut back in the fall?

Plants To Cut Back In Fall:

Bearded Iris.
Bee Balm (Monarda)
Phlox.
Lilies.
Gaillardia (Blanket Flower)
Catmint (Nepeta)
Columbine (Aquilegia)
Daylily (Hemerocallis)

How do you winterize a hydrangea bush?

A good way to start winterizing hydrangeas is to lay down a thick layer of mulch over their root area. Straw works well for this. For even greater protection, cover the shrub with a wire cage, or build a cage around it with strong stakes and chicken wire. Wrap burlap or insulation cloth around the cage.

What to grow behind hydrangeas?

Plant groundcovers, bulbs or both under your hydrangeas. Purple Pixie® Loropetalum works well as a groundcover, and adds a nice pop of purple foliage, which will complement the both the leaves and blooms of the hydrangeas.

Will Astilbe grow under trees?

Even grass and supposed "shade plants" such as azaleas, astilbes and ferns have a hard time growing under trees. That's because this is dry shade - with big-root competition to boot.

How do you take care of astilbe plants?

All astilbes, even the more drought-tolerant varieties, prefer cool, moist soil rich in organic matter. Keep the soil evenly damp but not soggy, especially during the winter when plants are dormant. Avoid planting in heavy clay soils and sites with poor drainage.

Does astilbe attract butterflies?

Astilbe. An attractive perennial even when not in bloom, stately astilbes are excellent long-lived nectar providers for part or full shade gardens. Butterflies flock to pink and purple shades, like 'Amethyst,' 'Montgomery,' or the elegantly draping 'Ostrich Plume. '

How do I get my astilbe to bloom?

Sunlight – While astilbe usually tolerates moderate sunlight, most astilbe varieties perform best in shade. If your plant is in full sunlight, provide shade (especially during hot afternoons) or consider moving the plant to a more suitable location.