Astilbe x arendsii EricaAstilbe
科:虎耳草科
Family:Saxifragaceae
属:落新妇属
common name:Astilbe
introduce:Plant Type: Herbaceous perennial
Family: Saxifragaceae
Missouri Native: No
Native Range: None
Height: 2.5 to 3 feet
Spread: 1.5 to 2 feet
Bloom Time: June - July
Bloom Color: Pink
Sun: Part shade to full shade
Water: Medium moisture
Maintenance: Low
General Culture:
Easily grown in average, medium wet, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers moist, humusy, organically rich soils. Soils should not be allowed to dry out. If regularly watered, foliage will usually remain attractive throughout the growing season. A summer compost mulch helps retain soil moisture. Removing faded flower stalks will not prolong bloom, but may improve plant appearance, particularly if a ground cover look is desired. On the other hand, many gardeners leave the flower stalks in place after bloom because of the continuing ornamental interest of the dried seed heads. Divide when clumps become over crowded (every 3-4 years).
Noteworthy Characteristics:
Astilbes are mainstays of shade and woodland gardens. They are clump-forming perennials which feature graceful, fern-like mounds of mostly basal, 2-3 ternately compound leaves, usually with sharply-toothed leaflets, and tiny flowers densely packed into erect to arching, plume-like flower panicles rising above the foliage on slender, upright stems. The arendsii hybrids are a large group of hybrids involving crosses between A. chinensis, A. japonica, A. thunbergii and A. astilboides and are named after German nurseryman George Arends 1862-1952). Because of the different and sometimes complex parentage of the plants lumped under this hybrid grouping, arendsii hybrids can vary considerably as to plant size, inflorescence shape, leaf color/shape and bloom period. Generally, however, they are early bloomers (late spring in St. Louis) which grow 1.5 to 4?tall with ovate to lance-shaped leaflets. 慐rica?is a tall cultivar which features open, narrow panicles of light heather pink flowers on upright stems (to 3?tall). Typically forms a foliage mound to 18?high. Foliage emerges reddish bronze, but matures to dark green. Cultivar was named for the heather genus of the same name.
No serious insect or disease problems. Unlike the Chinese astilbes (A. chinensis cultivars), the arendsii hybrids have little if any drought tolerance. Foliage decline (leaves brown up), sometimes with significant dieback, will often occur in hot summers and/or periods of drought if soils are not kept uniformly moist.
Uses:
Mass or group in shade gardens, woodland gardens and shaded areas of border fronts or cottage gardens. Excellent ground cover or edging plant for shady areas. Effective on pond or stream banks.
