Content
Astilbe Amethyst is a perennial herbaceous plant from the Saxifraga family. A plant with openwork leaves is very popular among gardeners. The amethyst shimmer of astilbe and inflorescences of extraordinary beauty can decorate any garden plot or greenhouse.
Description of astilbe Amethyst
Astilbe Arendsa Amethyst is a perennial shrub with complex trifoliate leaves of yellow-green color.
Adult specimens reach 1 m in height
Astilbe Amethyst prefers areas with partial shade, since excess sunlight can negatively affect growth rates. The culture does not tolerate stagnant moisture and groundwater. The abundance of liquid leads to damping off of the root system.
Features of flowering
Astilbe Amethyst is the owner of paniculate violet-pink or lilac inflorescences, the size of which varies between 18-31 cm. The light sepal inflorescences can have a beautiful pink frame. Astilbe Amethyst is characterized by long flowering, which begins in July and lasts until the end of August. The fruits are oil pods containing small seeds inside.Under natural conditions they ripen at the end of summer or in the first half of September. The peduncle develops only in the second year after planting the seedling in the ground.
Application in design
Astilbe Amethyst is a common ornamental plant that is found in gardens, parks and greenhouses.
Astilbe, placed near an open-air table, will help create a peaceful atmosphere at the dacha.
Astilbe is used to create mixorders in combination with aquilegia, phlox and lily
mixborders
Astilbe Amethyst looks great next to bergenia, hosta and other evergreen shrubs
Astilbe is used to create mixborders in combination with aquilegia, phlox and lily
mixborders
Astilbe Amethyst looks great next to bergenia, hosta and other evergreen shrubs
The proximity to hyacinth, crocus, snowdrop, tulip, daffodil and other representatives of bulbous crops is considered favorable.
The perennial plant looks very good on the shore of the pond
Reproduction methods
The optimal method of propagating Amethyst astilbe is considered to be dividing the bush. The procedure is performed according to the following algorithm:
- The roots are carefully removed from the ground and divided into several parts.
Divide quickly so that the roots do not have time to dry out.
- The cut area is treated with crushed coal or garden lubricant.
- For the best adaptation of the root system of astilbe, you need: moist soil, regular loosening of the soil and watering.
Stimulants and other additives are used to accelerate growth. The preferred period for dividing the rhizomes of Amethyst astilbe is the beginning of spring. The bud division method ensures good survival rate. It is started with the appearance of the first buds.Astilbe cuttings are cut and planted in a warm place (in a greenhouse or greenhouse) in soil richly saturated with water. A mixture of soil with the addition of gravel and sand is considered optimal. The bud with rhizome needs to be covered with plastic film. Propagation of Amethyst astilbe by seeds requires a lot of effort and is time-consuming and ineffective, so this method is practically not used by gardeners.
Landing algorithm
The main factor that determines the survival rate of a crop is high-quality planting material. It is not recommended to purchase Amethyst astilbe seedlings from unverified sellers. It is necessary to carefully examine each rhizome, which should be completely free of dried and rotten areas. During storage, the root system is periodically moistened. Drying out is equally detrimental to the plant, as is excessive humidity. The algorithm for planting astilbe Amethyst is as follows:
- The first step is to prepare the planting hole to the size of the rhizome.
- The roots should be freely located in the hole; large depths of astilbe are not required.
- Shortly before planting, it is necessary to add fertilizing to the soil in the form of mineral fertilizers and ash.
- The easiest way to maintain the desired humidity is with hydrogel. Before planting, the soil is watered.
- The Amethyst astilbe seedling requires mulching.
For dusting use bark, wood chips, peat chips
Thanks to mulching materials, it is possible to maintain the desired level of moisture and prevent the roots from drying out.
The end of the autumn planting season occurs in mid-September. The preferred period is from mid-May to early June. Seedlings must be stored in a cool place to prevent premature bud germination. If the seedling has pale, thin and long sprouts, it has every chance of taking root, but only if its root system has not rotted or dried out.
Astilbe Amethyst easily tolerates being kept at home during the period between purchasing seedlings and planting them in the ground. The basement, where the temperature is close to zero, is ideal for storage. Astilbe seedlings are placed in plastic containers with a sufficient number of ventilation holes. A moistened substrate, sawdust, coconut fiber, lightweight soil and moss are added to the containers. In the case of planting a group consisting of Amethyst astilbe perennials, it is necessary to maintain a distance of about 50 cm between them.
Rhizomes with awakened buds and sprouts can be transplanted into flower pots and placed on the windowsill. Seedlings require periodic watering. Overwatering is detrimental to the plant. Loamy soils with an acidity of 5.5-6 pH are excellent for planting Amethyst astilbe. High air humidity and proximity to groundwater have a positive effect on development.
Aftercare
Astilbe Amethyst is a crop that does not require special attention and special care.
A drainage pad made of expanded clay, small crushed stone and peat helps avoid waterlogging.
As the seedlings develop, mulching should be done.Thanks to timely watering and soil care, you can achieve high growth rates, abundant and long-lasting flowering, as well as prevent diseases and rid the crop of pests. As it grows, you need to trim off dead leaves and old inflorescences.
Astilbe Amethyst is a perennial crop that requires periodic feeding. At the beginning of spring, it needs fertilizers with a predominance of nitrogen. They nourish the soil and increase the strength and strength of the crop. With the help of additives, the process of plant recovery after the winter period is facilitated and the rate of green mass gain increases. Fertilizing with potassium and phosphorus fertilizers makes the inflorescences of Amethyst astilbe brighter and more lush. To strengthen the stems and increase the plant's resistance to stress, humus and special preparations are used.
During the dry period, the plant needs watering, which is carried out every other day. The first fertilizers in the form of mineral fertilizers are applied to the soil in the spring after the snow begins to melt. When the flowering process is completed and the flower stalks are dry, they can be left in place, since even when dried they have a stunning appearance.
Timely fertilizing with fertilizers is necessary to obtain high-quality seeds required for propagation of astilbe Amethyst
Preparing for winter
Creating a protective layer of crushed stone and peat allows you to maintain the required level of humidity and prevent freezing of the root system in winter. In 12 months, the crop grows up to 5.5 cm, so it is necessary to increase the layer of bedding by 2.5-3 cm annually. Before the onset of cold weather, the above-ground part of the plant needs to be pruned and a shelter made of plastic film should be created.Additional protection can be made from pine spruce branches or vegetable tops.
Preparation for winter of a young Amethyst astilbe bush begins in the summer. The peduncle is disposed of immediately after it is separated. Until the onset of cold weather, the area around the bush must be periodically weeded and weeds removed. When loosening the top layer of soil, care must be taken so as not to damage the young root system of Amethyst astilbe.
Diseases and pests
Astilbe Arends Amethyst is a plant that is highly resistant to diseases and pests. The danger for the shrub is the leafhopper (common spittlebug), which attacks it from early summer to mid-September. It is almost impossible to get rid of it with the help of special drugs and means. The pest must be controlled manually. Another parasite that poses a threat to crops is the roundworm - root-knot nematode. It is impossible to cope with the pest, so complete destruction of the bush is required.
Experts recommend removing a small layer of soil from the area where the infected shrub grew.
Conclusion
Astilbe Amethyst does not require trimming the crown, which forms independently. The seedlings need to be transplanted to another place after 5-6 years. It is necessary to get rid of dried leaves and flower arrows in a timely manner, as they slow down the development of the bush.
