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Japanese astilbe is an unpretentious frost-resistant ornamental crop that is very popular among gardeners and summer residents. The plant easily tolerates high humidity, so it prefers areas with sparse shade located near lakes, rivers and artificial reservoirs. The culture is used to decorate flower beds, garden plots, to create hedges and divide the territory.
General description of Japanese astilbe
More than three hundred varieties of astilbe are known, divided into 12 groups (stunted, fringed, Lemoine hybrids, simple-leaved, pink and others). Japanese astilbe is a perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Saxifraga family.It is distinguished by its compact size, bright dense inflorescences and shiny glossy leaves, which enhance the decorative qualities of the plant. Japanese astilbe hybrids have predominantly dense inflorescences of various colors. There are nondescript pastel, carmine-red, lilac, cream and pink panicles.
The best varieties of Japanese astilbe
Botanists count more than 300 varieties of astilbe, and this number is increasing. There are Chinese, Korean, Japanese, whole-leaved, naked and curly astilbes. There are 4 groups depending on height (from dwarf to large) and 4 varieties that differ in the shape of the inflorescences (from pyramidal to paniculate and rhombic). Belonging to a variety affects decorative qualities, stress resistance indicators and other factors.
Vesuvius
Astilbe japonica Vesuvius grows up to 60 cm in height and up to 40 cm in width. It is distinguished by strong, thin and branched stems with dark green leaves and rich carmine-red flowers with a memorable, pleasant aroma. Flowering begins in June and lasts almost until the end of summer. Nutritious, slightly acidic soils that are moistened and loosened are best suited for this variety.
The Vesuvius variety is resistant to diseases and pests, and therefore does not require special care.
Washington
The main bush reaches 45 cm in height, peduncles up to 65 cm and higher. The leaves are light green with lacy outlines. It is a popular crop among designers due to its unpretentiousness and snow-white loose inflorescences of stunning beauty.
The intense, pronounced aroma of the Washington variety is reminiscent of the scent of bird cherry
Montgomery
Astilbe japonica Montgomery is distinguished by lush blood-red inflorescences.Leaves on brown stems change color depending on the time of year: from brownish-burgundy in spring to dark green in summer. The height of erect peduncles reaches 68 cm.
Flowering of the Montgomery variety begins in the second half of July and lasts about two weeks.
Red Sentinel
Astilbe japonica Red Sentinel was bred by Dutch breeders. Stocky bushes reach 0.5 meters in height. Leaves are red-brown. With the onset of summer, the color changes to matte green.
The peduncles of the Red Sentinel variety are large, dark red
They are characterized by pink-white sepals and bluish anthers.
Ellie
Astilbe Japanese Ellie has the most snow-white inflorescences in comparison with all other varieties. An adult bush reaches 60 cm in height. Flowering begins in mid-summer. After wilting, the panicles do not change their color to brown, remaining green.
Flowering of the Ellie variety lasts from mid-July to the second half of August
Elizabeth Van Veen
Astilbe japonica Elizabeth Van Veen prefers shaded areas, where it can grow up to 60 cm in height.
In case of excess sunlight, the height of the Elizabeth Van Veen shrub will not exceed 40 cm
In spring, the fringed leaves turn a rich brown-red hue. In summer they turn green. Peduncles are brown, violet-lilac or violet-crimson.
Deutschland
Astilbe japonica Deutschland reaches 60 cm in height.The bushes are spreading, but at the same time maintaining compactness.
Deutschland is distinguished by medium-dense white inflorescences up to 20 cm long
The buds open in the first days of June and fade after 19-20 days. Before flowering, their color takes on a rich creamy hue.
Dusseldorf
Astilbe japonica Dusseldorf rarely reaches more than 45-50 cm in height.
It is distinguished by large inflorescences with a rich dark pink hue and light green leaves. Flowering usually begins in July and lasts until the end of summer.
The Dusseldorf variety tolerates plenty of sunlight only with frequent watering.
Rhineland
The medium-sized Japanese astilbe reaches a height of 70 cm. It is distinguished by large inflorescences with pyramidal carmine-pink panicles, shiny green-bronze foliage with an openwork edging.
The Rhineland variety develops best when planted near water bodies
The plant begins to bloom in mid-July. Flowering lasts approximately three weeks.
Bonn
Astilbe japonica Bonn is a perennial herbaceous rhizomatous ornamental crop, which is distinguished by a straight crown, compact size and dense inflorescences of a dark carmine hue.
An adult plant reaches 60 cm in height
It is characterized by high stress resistance and good survival rate. It feels best in the shade of trees next to hosta, aquilegia and ferns.
Europe
The maximum height of peduncles of this spreading variety is 0.5 meters. The trifoliate leaves are dark green, the inflorescences have a light pink tint. Thick, fluffy, without a pronounced odor. The buds begin to set in late spring, the main flowering period is July.If you prune the bush at the end of August, it will retain its shape until the onset of frost.
The Europe variety easily tolerates stagnant humidity and excess sunlight
The Japanese astilbe variety Europe has a strong resemblance to Peach Blossom. In order to distinguish one from the other, you need to look at the inflorescences - in Europe they are rhombic in shape, and in Peach Blossom they are paniculate.
Rock and Roll
Astilbe japonica Rock and Roll stands out with reddish straight stems and inflorescences collected in snow-white panicles. The color of the flowers varies from pinkish-white to red-lilac. The leaves have a rich green color with bluish tints. An adult plant reaches a height of 62 cm. It prefers fertilized clay-manure soil.
The Rock and Roll variety is suitable for growing in containers
It blooms from mid-summer for 30-40 days.
Bronzelaub
The variety was bred by Dutch breeders. An adult plant reaches 62 cm in height. The leaves are purple, bronze-green, the diamond-shaped inflorescences are pinkish-red.
Bronzlaub blooms from mid-July for 2-3 weeks
The optimal conditions for growing this variety are a shaded area with fertile, moist soil and a high groundwater level. If the weather conditions are too hot and there is an abundance of sunlight, the flowering time can be greatly reduced.
Country and Western
Country and Western is distinguished by large fluffy and very dense diamond-shaped inflorescences with rich bright pink, red-violet and lilac colors.
Country and Western is a compact variety; the height of an adult crop usually does not exceed 50-60 cm
Thanks to the glossy dark green double-pinnate leaves, the bush has a spectacular and presentable appearance both during and after flowering.
Chocolate Shogun
Astilbe japonica Chocolate Shogun is very popular.
The decorative value of the crop lies in its dark glossy leaves, which retain a rich burgundy-brown hue throughout the year.
Inflorescences are creamy pink. Flowering begins in July and lasts until mid-August.
Cologne
The herbaceous perennial reaches a height of 55-62 cm. The paniculate inflorescences are rhombic in shape - compact, lush, with a pink-crimson tint. Petals are purple-violet, leaves are green-brown. The Cologne variety is usually planted on the north side of buildings in places with partial shade, protected from the scorching rays of the sun.
Astilbe japonica Cologne is considered a frost-resistant and moisture-loving crop
Koblenz
A medium-sized perennial herbaceous plant, reaching a height of 55-60 cm. The leaves are dark green, with small teeth. Small carmine-red flowers are collected in medium-dense fluffy paniculate inflorescences. Used to create group and single plantings.
Seedlings of the Koblenz variety are best suited to areas with partial shade, but they can also develop in sunny places
Avalanche
Medium-sized perennial ornamental crop with dark green leaves and white inflorescences. The flowers do not have a distinct aroma. The height of an adult plant is 55 cm.
The Avalanche variety takes root well in areas with sparse shade and high humidity.
Too dry air is detrimental to the crop and negatively affects the development and duration of flowering.Used for decorative landscaping, creating borders, mixborders and lawns.
Bremen
Widely spreading bushes with small pink-crimson or purple flowers reach 45-55 cm in height. The inflorescences are lush, paniculate, from 12 to 17 cm long. The leaves are complex in shape, with jagged edges.
Prefers places with high humidity: areas near fountains, artificial reservoirs, lakes and rivers
Astilbe japonica Bremen is considered a frost-resistant and disease- and pest-resistant variety.
The use of Japanese astilbe in design
Japanese astilbe perfectly coexists with many ornamental crops: Siberian irises, peonies, tulips, lilies of the valley, bitter weed, bergenia and many others.
Japanese astilbe fits perfectly into any flower garden and is combined with various plants in mixed borders and lawns
Can be used to create rockeries and landscape compositions
To determine on which plane (front or back) to plant a variety, you must first familiarize yourself with the indicators of its bushiness and tallness.
Astilbe planted along the garden path will play the role of a hedge
With the help of Japanese astilbe, you can transform decorative coniferous and mixed plantings.
Planting and caring for Japanese astilbe
For open ground, Japanese astilbe is better suited than many other herbaceous plants. The culture prefers places with partial shade, since the abundance of direct sunlight negatively affects growth rates and flowering. The plant is very unpretentious to the soil, but an area with a high groundwater level will be optimal. Prolonged drought is detrimental to crops. The optimal time for planting Japanese astilbe is considered to be the beginning of May.When replanting in autumn, you need to do it before the onset of frost. Planting of Japanese astilbe is carried out according to the following algorithm:
- Prepare recesses (up to 26 cm). Fertilizers, complex additives and bone meal are poured into the holes.
- The rhizome of the seedling is cleared of soil. Dried roots are removed using pruners or a knife with a sharp blade.
- It is recommended to place the seedling for several hours in a container filled with water with the addition of a growth stimulator.
Japanese astilbe needs periodic fertilizing, compost, peat, as well as potassium and phosphorus fertilizers. Before planting, add humus to the hole, then fill it with water. After planting rhizomes with buds, it is necessary to mulch. Japanese astilbe does not require special care. She only needs regular watering. If the soil dries out, the inflorescences become small, the foliage withers, and the plant takes on a sloppy appearance, which negatively affects its decorative properties.
Japanese astilbe has adapted well to winter cold, but temperature fluctuations in early spring pose a serious danger to it. Therefore, a perennial crop needs to be provided with shelter from spruce branches or other natural materials. The soil between individual plants is mulched and some pine needles are added. Japanese astilbe bushes are replanted every few years. It is not necessary to dig up the entire shrub; it is enough to update the soil around it by sprinkling the cuttings with ash.
After transplantation, the plant needs abundant watering for two weeks.
Japanese astilbe is a perennial crop that is highly resistant to frost, as well as various diseases and pests. Root-knot and strawberry nematodes pose a danger to the plant. Signs of the lesion are reddish and yellowish-brown spots limited by veins. Leaves become wrinkled and hard. Due to damage by nematodes, the growth rate of astilbe significantly slows down and its decorative qualities deteriorate. Nematodes can be combated either mechanically (by dividing into several parts with further quarantine for each) or with the help of special preparations (Bassamil, Nematorin or Nematofagin BT).
Heat treatment is a proven folk method of fighting parasites. The affected plants are removed from the soil and immersed for several minutes in a container with water preheated to 50 degrees. After the roots have cooled, they are transplanted into a new substrate.
Conclusion
Japanese astilbe is one of the popular ornamental crops. It is unpretentious, resistant to stress and pests, and undemanding to care. A perennial plant can decorate any garden plot, lawn, border or mixed border.
