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