Astilbe chinensis
| Astilbe chinensis | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |   |
| Hardiness: | 5 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Width: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Mid Summer-Late Summer |
| Open Woods Forest | |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Astilbe chinensis
Propagation: Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Only just cover the seed. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame until they are at least 20cm tall. Plant them out in the summer, or late in the following autumn.
Division in spring. This is best done every 3 - 4 years in order to maintain the vigour of the plant[1]. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whist smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.
Cultivation: Prefers a rich garden soil, but succeeds in most soils so long as they stay reliably moist in the summer[2][3]. Requires a wet or moist peaty soil in sun or partial shade[4], growing well under shrubs[3]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 to 7[1]. Prefers partial shade[1], especially if the soil is on the dry side[3].
Plants are hardy to about -20°c[4].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[3].
There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[3].
Range: E. Asia - E. China, Japan, Korea.
Habitat: Damp woods and along shady streams[4]. Open broad-leaved forests, forest edges and amongst shrubs[5]. Forests, forest margins, meadows, valleys and riversides, 400 - 3600 metres[6].
Edibility: Young shoots[7]. No more details are given.
Usage: A first class ground cover plant, the lower-growing cultivar 'Pumila' is particularly recommended[3].
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Links
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Huxley, Anthony. The New Royal Horticultural Society Dictionary of Gardening. MacMillan Press, 1992.
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ Komarov, Vladimir. Flora of the USSR. Gantner Verlag, 1968.
- ↑ Flora of China. 1994.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.