Astilbe thunbergii
| Astilbe thunbergii | |
| Light: |   |
| Moisture: |  |
| Hardiness: | 7 |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 2' |
| Blooms: | Late Spring |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
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Astilbe thunbergii
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: Succeeds in a rich garden soil if this stays reliably moist in the summer[2]. Requires a wet or moist peaty soil in sun or partial shade[3]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 to 7[1]. Prefers partial shade[1]. The plant is found in sunny habitats in the wild[4].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[5].
Range: E. Asia - Japan.
Habitat: Sunny grassy slopes, C. and S. Japan[4].
Edibility: Young leaves - cooked[6][7].
The leaves are a tea substitute[7].
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.
- ↑ Phillips, Roger and Martyn Rix. Perennials - The Definitve Reference. Pan Books, 1991.
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Ohwi, Jisaburo. Flora of Japan. Smithsonian Institution, 1965.
- ↑ Thomas, Graham. Perennial Garden Plants. J. M. Dent & Sons, 1990.
- ↑ Kunkel, Günther. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books, 1984.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 Facciola, Stephen. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, 1990.