Content
Astilbe Peach Blossom is an ornamental flowering plant. The flower is popular in home floriculture due to its high resistance to frost and disease. Grown in open ground, absolutely unpretentious in care. However, unlike other varieties and varieties of astilbe, Peach Blossom has its own characteristic features in development and nuances in cultivation.
Description of Astilbe Peach Blossom
Astilbe Peach Blossom is a perennial ornamental flower native to East Asia. The plant belongs to the Saxifraga family, a characteristic feature of which is high viability even under unfavorable growing conditions. Astilbe variety Peach Blossom is highly frost-resistant and survives winter frosts of 25 degrees. Therefore, the flower is cultivated in both middle and northern latitudes.
Astilbe can remain a garden decoration for 3-4 months
"Peach Blossom" at home reaches a height of no more than 2 meters. It grows as a shrub and has tall, erect shoots. One bush grows 70-80 centimeters in width. Astilbe grows very quickly, so the bush spreads over a large area around.
Each stem bears feathery leaves with a smooth, glossy surface. They are painted a rich green color, but have a brownish edging along the edges. The leaf blades have a dense structure, which protects the plant from burns and strong drafts.
Features of flowering
The Peach Blossom variety belongs to the Japanese astilbe group, whose representatives are famous not only for their beautiful and abundant flowering, but also for the pleasant shades and splendor of their inflorescences.
Flowering begins in mid-summer, usually at the end of June or the first half of July. The flowering period is about 1.5 months. In rare cases, in warmer regions, Peach Blossom may bloom until September.
Lush inflorescences of Japanese astilbe are located at the top of the shoots and have the shape of rhombic panicles. They are densely packed with small flowers with soft pink petals. The length of the inflorescences is on average no more than 15 centimeters.
After the Japanese astilbe Peach Blossom fades, the inflorescences do not lose their shape and do not spoil the appearance of the bush. Fruits appear in place of flowers, and seeds ripen here, which can later be used to propagate the plant.
Before wilting, the inflorescences of "Peach Blossom" become very lush
Application in design
Japanese astilbe Peach Blossom is very often used to decorate flower beds, flower beds and other park and garden compositions. But it is worth noting that the shade-loving shrub feels best in combination with plants that are taller than it. Tall shrubs and various types of trees can be ideal neighbors for Peach Blossom. Astilbe looks very beautiful against the background of coniferous plants.
If the plant grows in areas shaded by any buildings, you can grow them with other flowers:
- tulips;
- hosts;
- irises;
- phlox;
- periwinkles.
"Peach Blossom" looks beautiful near various bodies of water: rivers, ponds and lakes.
Several different varieties of astilbe look very beautiful in one flowerbed.
Reproduction methods
Astilbe "Peach Blossom" is propagated by seed and by dividing the bush. The flower cannot boast of high seed germination, so the most often used method is dividing the mother bush into several parts. This method is the simplest, easiest and does not harm the bush.
The procedure is usually carried out in the spring when transplanting a bush to a new location. For division, an adult healthy bush is taken, a part is cut off from it, on which there should be at least 5 buds. The root system is also divided, and rotten and dried areas are cut off. Each part is planted in a separate place.
Dividing the bush is the most common and easiest way to propagate astilbe.
Landing algorithm
The planting procedure can be carried out starting in spring and ending in late autumn. The seedlings have good survival rate. But it is worth noting that you need to calculate the time, since after planting the flower must be watered for 15 days.
Astilbe "Peach Blossom" needs to be grown in shaded areas, but with at least 14 hours of daylight. Therefore, it is recommended to grow the flower next to tall bushes, trees or buildings.
"Peach Blossom" does not tolerate dry or overly wet soil, but grows well in any type of soil.The main rule is that the soil should be loose and not dry. Therefore, experienced gardeners recommend mulching the soil after planting.
Step-by-step planting of "Peach Blossom" in open ground:
- Dig holes at a distance of at least 30-40 centimeters from each other.
- Pour 1 tablespoon of bone meal into the holes. Moisten the holes with a solution of mullein or bird droppings.
- Place the seedlings in the holes, straightening the roots well.
- Cover the area with a substrate of turf soil, river sand, peat and humus. The growth point must be left below 4 centimeters above ground level.
Aftercare
After planting astilbe, it is recommended to mulch the soil surface. For this you can use various materials:
- sawdust;
- dry leaves;
- crushed bark;
- expanded clay or peat chips;
- small pebbles.
Mulching will help retain moisture in the soil, which reduces watering and reduces the risk of diseases and waterlogging.
It is recommended to mulch the soil surface with sawdust or dry leaves.
Watering should be carried out regularly, preventing the soil from drying out. High-quality irrigation water affects plant health and flowering activity. It should not be hard or contain impurities; the temperature of the liquid should not be lower than 10-15 degrees.
Every 2 weeks you need to fertilize with mineral fertilizers, and after planting - with a high content of phosphorus and potassium. During flowering, increase fertilizing with nitrogen-containing fertilizers.
After watering, it is recommended to loosen the soil. The procedure will help keep the soil moist and breathable, which will prevent water stagnation.Loosening should be carried out 3 centimeters deep, being careful not to damage the root system.
Preparing for winter
The last feeding before wintering should include not only mineral fertilizers, but also organic matter. It is necessary to thoroughly nourish the flower; for this purpose, fertilizer is applied in liquid form.
Next, pruning is carried out using disinfected garden tools. Peach Blossom shoots should be cut at the root with sharp pruning shears. This way it will be easier to cover the bush for the winter and you will not have to carry out additional removal of rotten shoots in the spring.
In late autumn, the astilbe bush is pruned at the root
To protect astilbe from the cold for the winter, it must be covered with dense material. Spunbond, spruce branches or lutrasil are suitable for this. Boards are placed on the edge of the shelter to secure the material.
Diseases and pests
Despite the fact that astilbe “Peach Blossom” is highly resistant to various diseases, if it is not properly cared for or lacks it, it can get sick. Sometimes insect pests may appear on the surface of the bush.
Among the few diseases and pests that affect Peach Blossom are:
- Pennitsa – a transparent viscous liquid similar to foam appears in the axils of the leaves.
- Root-knot nematode - an insect that attacks the root system, which stops the development of the bush.
- Strawberry nematode is a pest of astilbe that attacks leaves, inflorescences and shoots, causing them to begin to darken and fall off.
Conclusion
Astilbe Peach Blossom is highly prized among gardeners for its beautiful pink flowers. This is one of the most popular varieties of the Japanese astilbe group. With careful care and ideal conditions, the flower will delight you with long flowering from mid-summer until autumn.
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