I planted 9 lovely purple astibles - they were about 18 " tall

I planted them in full sun and then moved them to full shade after I found out that they do not like full sun. I dug a deep bed and included alot of potting soil.

Now they have lost their color - they should be blooming from June to August

I am in Cortlandt Manor New York and we have been having tons of rain - could this be the problem -?

But my sister in New Jersey has astibles and they look great

Help

Steve

Steve, the Astilbe plants are heavy feeders so you probably should give them occasional boosts with fertilizer. Your plants may be just adjusting to being transplanted and will settle in after a few weeks. I would have recommended amending the soil with compost rather than potting soil. The heavy rain could also have an effect on them.

At the top of the page here in the forum, click on the link for The Garden Helper then scroll down and click on Plant Guides. So much good information right here, there's not much need in looking elsewhere for help.

Hope this helps...

Astilbes can take a good deal of sun, but they definitely do not bloom for two months. More like two weeks. I would say your plants are just a bit shocked from the transplanting. Keep them well watered and I'm sure they'll come around. Good luck.

i whole heartedly agree with the two weeks deal.
i geuss in a couple years mine will look good but for the first year,my expectations exceeded my results. i reckon its just a patch of ground
i planted em in and i can wait to see if they get better(i think they will) i also was underwelmed with my bleeding hearts but i think
after watching how the plant itself grew they will much more impressive next year.

The blooms on my Astilbe seem to last anywhere from 2-4 weeks depending on the variety. I have mine planted in partial shade to full shade. They seem to like the soil moist, but well-drained.

I dont think Astible is hard to keep going.. I took mine out of a bed and put them into another. The spot which I removed them from, keeps making new ones .. Right now it is up again.

I too moved some and shocked the daylights out of them..White bloomed and pink didnt .

Just Hang tight, you'll make it.....

dodge

Dodge, my Astilbe have been in for three years and I thought they would be a lot bigger now than they are. Does anyone know it if they are supposed to be that slow in growing?

patches,

Yes they are slow......Which is good .. Don't get invasive.

dodge

Geesh, at this point, I might like it to be a little bit invasive. :rolleyes: Guess I thought the area would be more filled in by now.

patches......

They do like part shade.

dodge

Thanks, Dodge! I know, and I have mine planted in partial shade; but they still seem to be taking their time filling out!

I have used mine as edging plants. This year they have lots of browning. How do I remove the brown leaves? Can I cut them back to the ground or what?

kyjoy

They are always slow for me.. I am not sure how to operate on those..I have moved them so many times.......I just let mine go.

barb

Kyjoy, I cut mine back this past fall because I wanted to have all my beds cleaned and mulched before winter. I was outside today and some (but, not all) of mine are already starting to come up. I think if what you have is dead, you could either trim that off now or wait until the new growth starts coming in and then cut it off.

Hey Patches

Is your snow melted already? NOt ours .

They are difficult plants for me.

b

Hey, Barb!

Yes, our snow is all melted Geesh, you never know what to expect in our area.

patches

That is why I am wondering..We usually get your snow.

They are saying 60 on friday, Perhaps you will get lots of garden time.

Barb,

The last weather report I heard was rain off and on all week, but perhaps it will help the grass seed I sowed. Except for tomorrow, I think they said for the rest of the week the temperatures are going to be in the 60's & 70's. so everybody can get out and work in ther gardens.

Patches

Your so inspirational......

If that is how you spell it .
Bless you too....I see lots of green this morning. It rained till 2 last nite and now it is getting warm..........

Take time to smell the Posies.

;o)

Astilbes. Used to grow these in my old hometown. Nice foliage. Flowers never really were impressive though and they never did fill out so I haven't gotten around to trying them again. Don't get me wrong... they probably work well for some people. I just don't bother with astilbes anymore. They a-still-be tryin to get bushy and they a-still-be failin.
I moved on.

greenphil,

No loss......There are millions of flowers you have not discovered yet.......The sky is the limit......Try for the Moon..

ha ha

Thanks, Barb! Yes, you spelled it right.

Guess I love the Artilbes because they add some much needed color to all the ferns and hostas in my shade garden. It would be nice if the flowers lasted a little longer, but I love the foliage too!

Right ..Being different makes better scenery.
Keep up the good work!!!!!!!