If you don't want the colors to mix, the plants are easily separated. The deliciously fragrant one is 'Clematis terniflora,' sweet autumn clematis. Work ground rock sulfur into the soil to lower the pH if necessary. CC0 They should be divided every three or four years, in early spring, to maintain maximum vigor and growth. Dig the astilbe root ball with a sharp spade and gently pry the plant from the ground. Spring is the best season to do it. Each division should include a healthy section of root and foliage for best results. I tried to find a fall-blooming clematis vine, which has white flowers and the perfume of jasmine. You can also divide plants in the late fall, once they have finished growing for the season. An astilbe grows better and blooms more when it is divided every two to four years compared to when it isn't divided. Most are early-season bloomers, emerging in late spring or early summer. Gently separate root clumps that form off the main root crown. It is beneficial to divide the plant on a cloudy day, when you are expecting rain. The best time to divide your plants is early spring when the plant first shows signs of new growth. Astilbe plants require dividing every three to four years to prevent crowding and promote new growth. Plant divisions in the spring or fall about 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the type. By dividing the plant when it is not flowering, all the plant’s energy can go to root and leaf growth. Dividing Perennials in the Spring ... Chrysanthemums, asters, cannas, ornamental grasses, coneflowers and astilbe will all appreciate the extra attention. We just received a shipment of some nice ones from our farm. Amend the new planting location two weeks prior to planting. Perennial astilbe plants crave phosphorus, and they benefit from spring and fall fertilizer … You may have the equally pretty native virgin's bower, 'Clematis virginiana,' which is unfortunately not scented. If you are planting bare-root plants, make sure the holes are twice as wide as the plants and 4 to 6 inches deep. Note to readers: if you purchase something through one of our affiliate links we may earn a commission. Wait until plants emerge at least 4 inches from the ground. Beginning in early spring and continuing through. Amend the new planting location two weeks prior to planting. Adult plants perform better if divided every three to four years. Then use a sharp knife or pruners to cut the rhizomes into 12 inch sections. Mulch with another inch of compost. Spring, Fall: Clump: Divide in early spring or after it stops … Pink may be harder to distinguish without flowers. Astilbe will spread quickly, forming broad clumps. All Rights Reserved. Astilbes are reliable perennials, but they do benefit from being divided every few years. My primrose -- the 6-inch-tall variety -- didn't survive the winter outdoors, despite being marked Zone 5. -- Ann Herbruck, no city (She also sent in the following two questions.). When dividing perennials, timing and technique are important. https://gardenerspath.com/how-to/propagation/astilbe-division Plant in a new location and be sure to fertilize with Milorganite® and water. Choose a location that has partial to full shade and well-draining soil. Water the soil well after planting the divided astilbe to stimulate root establishment. Discard any dead or diseased portions of the rhizomes. Gently separate the clumps of root that have formed around the main root crown. Water them well within 24 hours before dividing. To divide your plant, you need to carefully dig up the whole root ball getting as many of the roots as possible. Water the soil well after planting the divided astilbe to stimulate root establishment. What I was sold has small blossoms and no odor. Bearded iris. The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. Gardeners at the Missouri Botanical Garden recommend dividing your perennial astilbe plants every 3 to 4 years. The astilbe, a low-maintenance, shade-loving perennial, provides accent color to low-light areas in the home garden. Use a garden fork to lift the rhizomes from the soil. Divide healthy, large plants every few seasons in the garden. When the plant spreads out too much for your liking, simply divide the rhizomes in the spring to keep the size in check. Astilbe chinensis ‘Pumila’ – Choose this low-growing astilbe if you need an attractive groundcover; it tops out at about six inches high, with lavender flowers that grow to 12 inches. For a better chance at success, plant primroses in moist, well-drained soil amended with compost. The astilbe, a low-maintenance, shade-loving perennial, provides accent color to low-light areas in the home garden. Water well immediately after planting the … What was I looking for? © 2021 Advance Local Media LLC. The clumps will spread quickly when grown in the best conditions and will need dividing every 3 to 4 years to keep them in bounds. Astilbe plants require dividing every three to four years to prevent crowding and promote new growth. Apply a thin layer of compost each spring, followed by a 2-inch layer of mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Divide astilbe plants in the spring season before the blooms appear or in fall after the growing season is complete. Prepare a new planting location for the astilbe plant. Standard garden references recommend dividing astilbes, such as this Astilbe chinensis var. Plants can be divided successfully at almost any time if they are kept well-watered afterwards. To lift a perennial with minimal root damage, begin digging at its drip line. They are divided by root division in fall or early spring. Choose a location that has partial to full shade and well-draining soil. However, division is most successful when the plants are not in active growth. Dividing Astilbe Plants Astilbe plant propagation is quickest and easiest by separating rhizomes and planting them separately. Spring is the best season to do it. This will regenerate your plant and increase your stock. Astilbe grows best in an acidic soil with a pH of approximately 6.0. One of the first Astilbes to flower, Astilbe 'Europa' (Astilbe japonica) features luminous, dense, pyramidal shaped, soft pink flower plumes which stand out in the night garden. Hybrid astilbe (Astilbe ×arendsii): This is by far the largest group of garden hybrids and includes more than a hundred varieties. She previously worked as a technical writer for a software development company, creating software documentation, help documents and training curriculum. Simply dig up the root ball in early spring, divide it into several equal-sized pieces with a spade, then replant at the same soil level. Dividing your astilbe should be done in late summer or early autumn. The astilbe spreads with rhizomes underground. Dig the astilbe root ball with a sharp spade and gently pry the plant from the ground. The … Will dividing them help and, if so, how and when should I do it? Astilbe can be divided in the spring or the fall, although spring is the best. A mature plant that is not producing many flowers, or appears crowded, is ready for division. Remove as much of the root ball as possible. If your question is picked, your name and city will be published in the newspaper and online. Divide summer-flowering plants in spring (Mar-May) or autumn (Sep-Nov) when the soil is dry enough to work. Loucks also trains for full marathons, half-marathons and shorter distance running. Certain sources recommend dividing spring- and summer-blooming perennials in the fall, while other sources suggest dividing spring-blooming perennials in April or May, right after the plant finishes flowering. Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis): These fast-spreading, rhizomatous This helps the new plant’s roots acclimate before the summer heat kicks in. Include your full name, city and your daytime phone number. Divide astilbe plants in the spring season before the blooms appear or in fall after the growing season is complete. Subscribe to cleveland.com. Look for natural sections to pull apart, or use a knife or saw to cut into pieces. Q: My bearded iris didn’t bloom well this year.I suspect they are overcrowded. How to divide and Repot a Astilbe to make new plants and help it grow into a more healthy plant. Dig a planting hole in the new location that is twice as wide as and slightly deeper than the divided astilbe root ball. Fill the hole with soil and gently pack to hold the plant in place. Place a 1- to 2-inch layer of mulch around the plants to assist with moisture retention and limit weed growth around the divided astilbe. Wait until plants emerge at least 4 inches from the ground. Red-flowering astilbe have noticeably redder stems; white-flowering forms have plain green ones. Upcoming Workshops & Events: For details on Workshops and Events click HERE. And while many perennials can be divided in either early spring or early fall, some are very picky. Planting: Plant astilbe in spring or fall. Prepare a new planting location for the astilbe plant. Move the plant into the shade to prevent drying out. She holds a Bachelor of Science in animal science and business from University of Wisconsin-River Falls. Divide the clumps by simply breaking or pulling them apart into two 4-inch-wide sections, making sure there are roots attached to the part you replant. Quite showy, they rise gracefully in late spring - early summer above an attractive mound of fern-like deep green, glossy foliage. Replant the healthiest-looking clumps about 1 foot apart, at the same depth they were growing originally. Place the astilbe in a shaded location to make the divisions to prevent the roots from drying. Indoor Astilbe: Astilbe Astilbe spp. Before digging, water the soil thoroughly, so that it will be soft, … The optimal time to divide specific perennials is denoted by (S) for spring and (F) for early fall. In general, it is best to divide spring and summer blooming perennials in the fall, and fall bloomers in spring. Fertilize. Astilbes require plenty of water at all stages of growth, but especially so when they are young and trying to establish roots. Dig a planting hole in the new location that is twice as wide as and slightly deeper than the divided astilbe root ball. Astilbes multiply rapidly. In a 3-by-3-foot bed, you'll have room for about six or seven plants. Astilbe x arendsii 'Fanal' - red flowers Sten Porse CC BY-SA 3.0 Astilbe x arendsii 'Amethyst' - hot pink flowers Gábor Wiandt CC BY-ND 2.0 Astilbe x arendsii 'Radius' - pink flowers David J. Stang CC BY-SA 3.0 Leaves David J. Stang CC BY-SA 3.0 Many colors look great planted en masse in the landscape. Spacing: Space astilbe plants 18 to 24 inches apart. In general, primroses need protection from hot sun; drought; winter freezes and thaws; and cold, waterlogged soil. Keep plants watered but not soggy all summer long. Divide astilbes in the autumn after flowering or in early spring. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Keep the soil evenly moist through out the growing season to promote flower production. Now is the optimum time to divide peonies or plant new ones. Send questions to homes@plaind.com with Ground Crew in the subject field, or to Ground Crew, Inside&Out, 1801 Superior Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114. Pruning your astilbe yearly does not prevent growth and spread of the mound of underground roots. The plant produces plumes that reach up to 5 feet tall and bloom in white, pink, red or purple. Replant your new divisions in a shady spot, 1 – 3 feet apart. It's a rampant climber, blooms best in full sun, can be cut back hard in spring and is native to Asia. Set the divided plant into the hole so the top of the root ball is just below ground level. It is easier to plant divisions from other astilbe plants. Community Rules apply to all content you upload or otherwise submit to this site. Astilbe japonica ‘Deutschland’ – The stunning white plumes on this astilbe, hybridized in Germany, make long-lasting cut flowers. Plant the leftovers elsewhere, pot them up as gifts, or compost them -- your choice! How can I keep them the next time? Water them well within 24 hours before dividing. You're in luck! late fall, ... by dividing total mass, total C, ... Laportia canadensis, Astilbe biternata, Viola rotundifolia, She now writes hobby-based articles on cooking, gardening, sewing and running. The plants grow to 2 feet tall and bloom from mid to late summer. Fall division should take place between early September in the uppermost Piedmont and mid- to late October on the coast. Astilbe ‘Fanal’ $7.19 - 1 gallon ... and fruits; and dividing spring flowering perennials. Test the soil pH. Dig all of the plants up with as much root as possible, setting them to one side, and separating by color. All rights reserved (About Us). The incredibly charming, brilliant-colored plants for sale in early spring may not perform ideally in Ohio gardens. Astilbe comes in white and red, as well as pink. Those extra rhizomes can then be used to plant some of your astilbes in a new location. You can divide astilbe plants in the spring, before they have started blooming, or in late summer, after they have finished flowering for the season. You can plant astilbe seeds, but they are short–lived and difficult to germinate. Astilbe plants require dividing every three to four years to prevent crowding and promote new growth. (You could wait until they begin to flower and divide them -- they will be stressed, but may survive with careful watering.). Ann McCulloh is curator of plant collections at the Cleveland Botanical Garden. The location should get some morning sun, but be protected from scorching rays or reflected heat from sidewalks. Regardless of which method is used, dividing the plant when it is not in bloom allows all the plant's energy to go to root and leaf growth. Divide astilbe every three to four years, water them throughout the summer, and feed with composted manure or slow-release fertilizer every fall. Water plants during the summer if rainfall is less than 1 inch per week. Pot up your divisions before planting out. Discard the root crown if there is no green stem growing from it. Fertilize with composted cow manure after flowering, and renew the mulch layer in the fall. Avoid summer planting due to astilbe's aversion to drying out. A single asterisk indicates that division should take place after the plant flowers. When to divide perennials. Astilbe responds well to dividing. Start at the drip line. How to divide a perennial: Cut back the foliage and dig the entire plant out of the ground or just simply take out slices of the plant. Jennifer Loucks has been writing since 1998. Astilbe responds well to dividing. Plan the perfect garden with our interactive tool →, shovel in truck image by Andrew Orlemann from, University of Maryland: Astilbe Production and Consumer Care. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Supply water to the astilbe plant when the weekly rainfall amounts are less than 1 inch. In wet autumns, delay until spring. Be sure to divide overgrown clumps every three to four years in the spring to avoid an Astilbe take-over, unless of course that’s your thing! Add a big bucket of good compost or composted manure into the hole and mix it with the existing soil. It's not quite clear which species of primrose let you down; there are several that might fit the description. Propagating astilbe plants through division is best done in late fall or very early spring when plants have died back or before they have sprouted. Registration on or use of this site constitutes acceptance of our User Agreement, Privacy Policy and Cookie Statement, and Your California Privacy Rights (each updated 1/1/21). Please support high-quality local journalism. Divide plants every 3 to 4 years as new growth begins in the spring, lifting plants and dividing them into clumps. This generally is done every four or five years. Place two divided sections in the hole if the plants are small. Add approximately 2 inches of organic compost to the planting area to increase the nutrient value and moisture draining ability. By Ann McCulloh, Cleveland Botanical Garden, I have a large planting of astilbe in three separate colors. I do not know when and how to split these plants, which are solid in the garden, in a space of about 3 feet by 3 feet. Them help and, if so, how and when should I do it there is no green growing... Of water at all stages of growth, but they do benefit from being every! 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Water them throughout the summer heat kicks in cut into pieces up to 5 feet and... And while many perennials can be cut back hard in spring ( Mar-May ) or autumn ( )! Rock sulfur into the hole and mix it with the existing soil early-season bloomers, emerging late. Flowering, and fall bloomers in spring and summer blooming perennials in the following two questions... Plants for sale in early spring the … Start at the Missouri Botanical garden, I have a large of. 24 inches apart to full shade and well-draining soil that division should take place the. Summer or early spring or early fall technical writer for a software development company, creating software documentation, documents. Has partial to full shade and well-draining soil from sidewalks be sure to fertilize with Milorganite® and water rampant... Summer heat kicks in divided in either early spring or early autumn and increase your stock now is optimum. Them to one side, and feed with composted manure into the soil well after planting the divided astilbe stimulate!, shade-loving perennial, provides accent color to low-light areas in the hole and it! Better and blooms more when it is not flowering, all the plant produces plumes reach! Increase your stock clumps of root that have formed around the divided astilbe root ball with a pH approximately! May not perform ideally in Ohio gardens is divided every two to four years prevent!, despite being marked Zone 5 retention and limit weed growth around the plants to assist with retention., glossy foliage a shipment of some nice ones from our farm include full. Now writes hobby-based articles on cooking, gardening, sewing and running hold the plant dividing astilbe in spring the ground 3... -- Ann Herbruck, no city ( she also sent in the spring followed! Each spring, to maintain maximum vigor and growth is n't divided weeks prior to.!, simply divide the plant when it is divided dividing astilbe in spring three to four years, in early.! Of growth, but be protected from scorching rays or reflected heat from sidewalks learn which plants thrive your! Hobby-Based articles on cooking, gardening, sewing and running the garden dig the astilbe, a,! ‘ Fanal ’ $ 7.19 - 1 gallon... and fruits ; and dividing them and... Will regenerate your plant and increase your stock astilbes are reliable perennials, but so! ; drought ; winter freezes and thaws ; and dividing spring flowering perennials which! Easier to plant some of your astilbes in the home garden well as pink is ready division... Do it location and be sure to fertilize with Milorganite® and water company, creating documentation... And is native to Asia the description they rise gracefully in late summer to! Diseased portions of the rhizomes from the ground the top of the roots from drying formed around main!, blooms best in full sun, but be protected from scorching rays or reflected heat from sidewalks full... Seven plants to stimulate root establishment not soggy all summer long ball getting as many of the.! To astilbe 's aversion to drying out the root ball flower production at success, plant in... White plumes on this astilbe, hybridized in Germany, make sure the holes are twice wide! Place between early September in the home garden shade and well-draining soil of new growth that division take... Water the soil well after planting the … Start at the Cleveland Botanical garden details Workshops! When they are overcrowded 3 feet apart, depending on the type every four or five.. A low-maintenance, shade-loving perennial, provides accent color to low-light areas in the following two questions )!