How to Grow Astilbe
Astilbes are beautiful plants, which add not only a splash of color, but also a lot of texture to your garden. Their fern-like leaves and feathery tops add a touch of graceful wonder to your landscape. The plumes come in a variety of colors including peach, red, pink, lavender and white.
Things you'll need:
- Astilbe plants
- Tiller
- Garden rake
- Shovel
- Fertilizer high in nitrogen
- Mulch
- Top soil
- Humus or peat moss
- Shredded newspaper
- Cow manure
- Choose the right location for your plants. They will flourish in partial shade, but can do well in full sun if you water daily. Be sure not to water in the hot part of the day to avoid burning the plants. Astilbes require adequate drainage, but also need to stay somewhat moist. Be sure to add something to the soil that will help it hold the moisture. Shredded newspaper mixed in with soil does an excellent job of this at minimal cost.
- Till up the planting area well, and rake out all of the grass. Amend the soil by adding top soil, humus, shredded newspaper and aged cow manure. You also need to enrich the area with fertilizer that is high in nitrogen.
- Plant Astilbes in groups of three or more. Space the plants about 12 inches apart. Astilbes come in a variety of sizes, based on color and the type of plants. Plant them according to size with the tallest plants in the back.
- Mulch well around the plants. Not only will this aid in retaining needed water, but mulch serves to hinder the growth of weeds as well. Also, weeds that do find their way into the area can then be more easily removed.