Content
Under natural conditions, astilbe grows in a monsoon climate, so it is tolerant of unfavorable conditions. The plant feels comfortable in cold regions. Comprehensive preparation of astilbe for winter will help minimize the impact of unfavorable weather and provide conditions for normal development next year.
Features of wintering astilbe in open ground
The plant is highly frost-resistant. Because of this, many gardeners make the serious mistake of not taking any action. In fact, you need comprehensive care for astilbe in the fall in preparation for winter.
The main reason this procedure is required is that the plant is not intended to be grown in flower beds and gardens. Astilbe is a perennial found in mountainous regions at altitudes of up to 5 thousand meters. The bush is resistant to such conditions, but may suffer due to factors to which it was not previously adapted.
Preparation for winter involves a set of activities. It is necessary to consider the main stages of this procedure.
What to do with astilbe in the fall
In order for a young plant to survive the winter well, its flower stalks are removed as soon as they begin to form. Then the nutrients will be spent not on seed formation, but on strengthening the root system. Thanks to this, young astilbe will take root better before the onset of cold weather.
Astilbe is very hardy and frost-resistant
In September and early October, before the onset of the first frosts, it is necessary to maintain a plentiful regime of watering the bush. Astilbe does not tolerate drought. If it is grown in areas well illuminated by the sun, then it must be provided with water daily until regular precipitation occurs.
How to care for astilbe in the fall
Care comes down to performing several simple procedures. But they need to be carried out in a timely manner, otherwise the bush will not have time to adapt to new conditions.
Is it necessary to cut astilbe for the winter?
Usually the buds are cut off immediately after flowering. But they can be saved so as not to spoil the appearance of the flowerbed. In the fall, when the first frost occurs, the entire above-ground part of the bush is removed. The optimal time is the first half of November.
In the first year of life after planting, the plant needs special care.
Plant pruning method:
Cleaning the flower garden
This procedure is required if astilbe is grown next to other plants. At the same time as pruning, you need to remove the remains of other flowers. It is also necessary to remove all debris: fallen leaves, branches, weeds.
When the bush grows, it can crowd out all the weeds
Loosening and mulching the soil
Astilbe is demanding on soil composition. Lack of sufficient nutrients in the soil can be detrimental to the plant. Therefore, when preparing astilbe for winter in the Moscow region or other regions, you need to pay attention to the soil.
The soil for astilbe must be well permeable to liquid to prevent stagnation. To do this, loosening is carried out.
The soil must be loosened to a depth of at least 8 cm. When preparing bushes older than 5 years, care must be taken. Their roots grow strongly and can break out. During the loosening process, they can be accidentally damaged. After this, mulching is carried out. This preparation helps improve the properties of the soil.
Recommended organic mulches:
- leaf humus;
- dry manure or droppings;
- straw;
- garden compost;
- pine needles;
- peat;
- sawdust, shavings.
Trimmed bushes should be covered with a layer of mulch: pine litter, peat, compost
The layer of mulch for astilbe should be 2-3 cm. Such preparation will retain liquid in the soil, prevent freezing, erosion and make the soil loose.
How to fertilize astilbe in the fall
In preparation for winter, fertilizing is necessary. It is carried out twice. The first time astilbe is fertilized is after flowering. They use formulations containing phosphorus and potassium, which quickly absorb the roots and enrich the plant with valuable substances. Each bush requires 1-2 spoons, no more. You can also fertilize astilbe with ash in the fall.
In autumn you need to apply fertilizers rich in potassium and phosphorus
Organic fertilizers are applied before the onset of frost. They are needed to provide the bush with useful substances in early spring. Organic residues are subject to long-term decomposition, so when applied in late autumn, they will fertilize the bush only after several months. In addition, at low temperatures this process slows down.
How to prepare astilbe for winter
Basic procedures are performed in the fall. The final stages of preparation are carried out in early to mid-November. After cutting the stems from the bush, it is recommended to hill it to a height of 4-5 cm. This is necessary so that the young buds are not exposed and are not exposed to frost. A layer of organic mulch is also added on top.
In the Moscow region, to prepare, it is enough to thoroughly loosen and fertilize the soil. However, this rule only applies if the forecast is for a not too cold winter. Astilbe is trimmed, fertilized, and the soil is mulched with spruce branches, straw or other organic matter that allows air to pass through well.
In the Urals and Siberia, astilbes spend the winter covered. This is necessary to protect them from the harmful effects of the wind. The soil in these regions freezes to 80-100 cm. Therefore, mulching the soil alone to prepare astilbe for winter in Siberia is not enough.
Other stages of preparation:
- Gradually reduce the frequency of watering (starting from the end of October).
- Treatment with fungicides against diseases and pests.
- Removing weakened shoots.
To prevent the root system from being damaged by frost, you need to cover the plant with spunbond or spruce branches.
It should be borne in mind that astilbes need careful preparation in the first year of life, as well as bushes that have been depleted during the dry summer. Before the onset of cold weather, the plant must be completely restored, otherwise it may die.
When and how to cover astilbe for the winter
In some regions of Russia, the plant needs reliable protection from frost. To do this, you need to cover the astilbe for the winter.
Main stages:
- Stick 4 wooden blocks into the ground at a distance of 15-20 cm from the bush on each side.
- Connect them with thin planks.
- Place dry leaves inside the frame.
- Cover the top with porous material and thick plastic wrap.
- Press the material down with bricks or stones and cover it with earth to prevent it from being blown away by the wind.
Before covering astilbe for the winter, you need to make sure that the selected polyethylene film allows air to pass through. Otherwise, the flow of oxygen to the soil will be disrupted, which can lead to the death of the bush.
In outskirts of Moscow
It is not necessary to cover astilbe in central Russia. Such preparation is necessary if a cold winter is expected.
It is advisable to cover the plant with material that allows air to pass through and does not create a greenhouse effect.
In early November, the soil is mulched, hilled and fertilized. You can cover the plant without using a wooden frame using foliage, pine needles and breathable film.
In the Urals
Due to the harsh climate, the plant must be protected from the cold. Moreover, preparation of astilbe for winter in the Urals should be carried out earlier than in the Moscow region.
Roots located closer to the surface of the earth may freeze, so they need to be covered with pine spruce branches.
Sheltering is carried out when a persistent drop in temperature occurs. This usually occurs in mid to late October. By this time, the bush should already be pruned and fertilized.
In Siberia
Astilbe tolerates temperatures down to -15 degrees. However, in winter in Siberia the temperature often drops below this level. Therefore, a frame shelter is required.
The astilbe root system can withstand temperatures of -25 degrees
In this case, it is necessary to cover the pruned bush with a layer of foliage, straw or sawdust to maintain the temperature. This is especially important if the plant has roots located close to the surface.
Advice from professionals
The main task of shelter for the winter is to protect not from frost, but from sudden changes in temperature. That is why the plant is covered with dry plant materials: leaves, sawdust, straw. An airtight film is required to supply the covered astilbe with oxygen and protect it from pests.
If you do not cover the astilbe for the winter, then next year the plant will grow worse and the flowering will be weak.
When snow falls, it is recommended to throw it on top of the film. This will create an additional protective layer for the covered astilbe. To prevent the snow from blowing away, you can put branches of spruce branches on it.
Conclusion
Preparing astilbe for winter is a set of measures necessary to protect the plant from the influence of unfavorable climatic conditions. Most procedures are carried out in mid- and late autumn, before the onset of a persistent drop in temperature. Provides for pruning, feeding the plant, fertilizing the soil and sheltering for the winter.
