Photos with a description of popular varieties of astilbe for home cultivation
Perennial astilbe, in the summer pleasing the eye like a multicolored haze hovering over the lush foliage, have been full-fledged inhabitants of greenhouses, gardens and parks for about two hundred years. For a long time, during which astilbe is studied and cultivated, varieties, photos and descriptions of species have become interesting and accessible not only to botanists, but also to ordinary lovers of ornamental plants. Today, a native of the Eastern Hemisphere is highly valued and loved in Europe, the United States and, of course, Russia.
Plants with lush rosettes of openwork leaves and light paniculate inflorescences have become widespread due to the relative ease of care, cold resistance and easy shade tolerance, as well as the abundance of varieties and hybrids.
In total, there are several dozen species of astilba in the world, but several Far Eastern and North American varieties have made the greatest "contribution" to the breeding of cultivars.
Depending on the type and variety, the astilba plant can reach a height of 15 centimeters to 2 meters. In addition, modern varieties are strikingly different:
- the shape of basal leaves sitting on long stalks;
- the size and appearance of the inflorescences;
- structure and color of small graceful flowers.
Paniculate inflorescences on the tops of the stems appear in July, and flowering ends closer to autumn, while each peduncle retains its decorative effect for a record 20–35 days. The shape of the inflorescences varies and can be paniculate, pyramidal, drooping or diamond-shaped.
Types of astilba and the founders of its cultivated varieties
Such a variety is the merit not only of nature, which has opened many different types of astilba, but also of breeders. To obtain lush flowering plants that adorn gardens, the following types were mainly used:
- Japanese;
- Chinese;
- David;
- Thunberg;
- whole-leafed.
The first cultivated varieties of astilba, familiar from photos and descriptions to today's flower growers, were obtained in the 19th century. The first admirer and enthusiast of culture was the French botanist E. Lemoine. An example of his breeding work is the Mont Blanc white astilba variety.
Despite his significant contribution to the development of culture, the Frenchman is not considered the person to whom Astilba owes its "brilliant career". Georg Arends is recognized as the founding father of the culture. This German scientist and naturalist created many varieties, literally revealing the beauty of astilba to the whole world. As a sign of respect for the merits of Arends, his varieties were combined into an extensive group, named after the creator and today has become a kind of standard.
Astilba David (A. Davidii)
It was this type of astilba that was originally from northwestern China and partly from Mongolia that Arends used in his breeding work. Wild and cultivated plants are quite tall. Peduncles reach a height of 150 cm, and the leaves are light green, with brownish petioles and central veins, half below.Cirrus leaf plates are very attractive, but when large pyramidal inflorescences appear above them in early August, no grower can resist the charm of the plant! The height of the fluffy panicle ranges from 30 to 40 cm; flowers in nature are dominated by lilac-generic color.
This species of astilba has been grown in gardens around the world for over a century, but it is best known for its famous hybrids of Arends.
Astilbe Arends (A. Arendsii Hybrida)
A prominent member of the community is Arends' Rock and Roll astilba with pure white flowers, green leaves perched on reddish brown stalks, long flowering and compact bush. As can be seen from the photo and description of the variety, astilba has retained its specific features.
This is also inherent in the varieties from the Arends group of interspecific hybrids. These plants have common features:
- height within 100 cm;
- the width of an adult bush of a spherical or spreading shape reaches 70 cm;
- complex, jagged along the edge and repeatedly dissected leaves have a smooth, sometimes shiny surface and a dark green color;
- small, like all types of astilba, flowers can be painted in all shades of white, lilac, pink or purple and collected in compact large inflorescences;
- flowering occurs in July and August, lasting 4 to 6 weeks.
Astilba Arends combine several dozen spectacular varieties that are well known to gardeners.
Astilba Amethyst is a real gem in the collection. The Amethyst variety is intended for group and single plantings in partial shade. Plants about 80 cm tall look good in the background and can play a major role in a flowerbed among host foliage, ferns and other greenery. The variety stands out for its smooth light green foliage with a yellowish tint and dense paniculate inflorescences, reaching 30 cm in length.
Fluffy light lilac flowers, leaving a bright brush, like a true amethyst, create a mass of pinkish, bluish and lilac reflections. Astilba bloom begins in July and lasts up to a month.
Astilba flowers Nemo or Nemo have a richer color than the previous variety, and they open a week or two later. Intensely pink with a lilac tint, bright brushes seem to illuminate the shady corners of the garden, where this plant will feel most comfortable. The height of the bush reaches 75 cm, and the decorative leaves of the variety are painted in a rich green tone.
White Astilba Diamant is taller than her sisters. Its bush at the height of the growing season reaches a height of 90 cm. Fluffy flowers that make up a wide panicle appear in the first decade of July and wither only by the end of the month. Diamant astilba is equally good in the flowerbed and in the cut thanks to its 30-centimeter luxurious inflorescences. Light leaves with brown serrated ends perfectly set off the milky whiteness of the flowers.
A relatively new hybrid variety among Astilbe Arends is the Radius variety with deep red flowers that make up loose paniculate inflorescences 30 centimeters long. An unusual feature of the plant is the bright red foliage that appears in the spring from under the snow. Then the leaves take on a more familiar dark green hue, and then, in the second half of July, thousands of purple Astilbe Radius flowers open above them.
Astilba varieties with white flowers look invariably fresh. With their flowering, they "illuminate" the most secret, shady corners. No exception is astilba White Gloria 80 centimeters high with dense diamond-shaped inflorescences up to 20 centimeters high. White Gloria has a 3 to 5 week bloom in July.
Anita Pfeiffer's pure pink or with a slight salmon tinge astilba flowers open closer to August. The late flowering variety, like its closest relatives, does not exceed a meter in height. Astilbe Anita Pfeifer forms a lush herbaceous bush of multiple dissected green foliage on brownish petioles.When it is time to bloom, brown or reddish peduncles, crowned with noticeable paniculate inflorescences, appear above the greenery.
The magnificent Astilba variety Setra Teresa or Sister Theresa, during flowering, creates an amazing effect of pink, delicate foam against a background of rich greenery. The peculiarity of the variety is very lush, light inflorescences of a light pink hue.
Although the first varieties of astilba were obtained almost 200 years ago, botanists still cannot agree on their classification. More than 50 varieties today are classified as hybrids and can be classified as different species or varietal communities.
Astilba America with light lilac dense panicles of inflorescences is perfect for growing in partial shade. The height of the America astilba kuta does not exceed 70 cm, but even with such a compact size for a culture, this variety cannot be overlooked.
A feature of the Betsy Kuperus variety is openwork, very delicate inflorescences of a drooping shape. The light pink or almost white flowers of Betsy Cuperus remain decorative for up to 25–30 days.
Among the varieties loved by flower growers are Astilba Gloria Purpurea with rich pink or lilac flowers. The plant up to 70 cm high stands out for its lush diamond-shaped panicle inflorescences and unusual foliage with a brown or reddish tint. Although astilba Gloria Purpurea blooms a couple of weeks less than other varieties, it is difficult to find equal in density and brightness of the inflorescences.
Lovers of snow-white flowers will appreciate the Koning Albert variety with loose, large inflorescences and dark green foliage.
Astilba Thunberg (A. thunbergii)
Although in nature astilbe Thunberg is found only in a small area from the Russian Kuril Islands to Japan, the plant has long been appreciated by botanists and lovers of ornamental crops. Wild specimens of this species do not exceed 80 cm in height, most of which are stems with apical inflorescences that appear in mid-summer. Sparse large panicles, 25 cm long, have a drooping shape, and white flowers emit a delicate light aroma.
For the first time, plants of this species were planted in the garden in the last quarter of the 19th century. Since then, Thunberg's astilba has been one of the favorites for many culture fans. The most natural and spectacularly inclined inflorescences look in partial shade and near water, where Astilbees like to settle in nature.
Thunberg hybrids (A. Thunbergii Hybrida)
Thanks to this type of astilba, numerous hybrids and varieties were born, which have been popular among amateur flower growers for many years.
The astilbe Professor Van der Wielen with milky white flowers on thin reddish-brown stems is receiving active attention. The height of this variety reaches 90–150 cm. The length of racemose inflorescences up to 45 cm long - to match the size of the bush. The flowering time begins in July.
The bright bloom of astilbe Straussenfeder attracts the eye not only by the graceful shape and size of the inflorescences, but, first of all, by their unusual coral coloration. Plants of the Straussenfeder variety grow up to 80–100 cm, bloom at the end of July and will greatly decorate shady areas of the garden and corners under the diffused sun.
Another variety of Thunberg's astilba, Red Charm, strikes with a rich raspberry-purple hue of flowers and a brownish color of young foliage. A place for such a bright variety will be found in the center of a spacious flower garden or under the crowns of trees, where astilbe Red Sharm will not be annoyed by direct sunlight.
Korean astilba (A. Koreana)
Unsurprisingly, native Astilbe species in Korea, China, and Japan have been given names that match their homelands. In the northeast of China and on the Korean Peninsula, there is a medium-sized perennial Korean astilba up to 50-60 cm high. Among other plants, the presence of brown pile on the stems and backs of leaves stands out. Inflorescences in the form of dense drooping panicles are composed of white-cream or pinkish flowers.
Chinese Astilba (A. chinensis)
The Chinese astilbe is significantly higher than the loin variety.Its stems reach a height of 1 meter, a little lower are intricately dissected serrated leaves on long petioles. The pile of this plant species is present only on the veins and along the edge of the leaves. The main color of small flowers is pinkish, white or lilac. The flowers are collected and dense fluffy inflorescences up to 35 cm long. Chinese astilbe belongs to the late species, its flowering can be admired from the second half of August.
Japanese Astilba (A. Japonica)
Japanese astilba is a kind of star among connoisseurs of this culture. On its basis, many original varieties and interspecific hybrids have been bred.
The wide, spreading bushes of the plant reach a height of 60–80 centimeters. Fragrant flowers, like patterned smooth leaves, are held on reddish stems. In nature, white or pink color of flowers predominates, but thanks to the work of breeders, modern varieties of Japanese astilba give 30-centimeter inflorescences of lilac, purple and crimson shades.
Japanese hybrids (A. Japonica Hybrida)
Most of the orts and hybrids obtained on the basis of this species are characterized by compactness, splendor of flowering, the presence of shiny leaves and early appearance of flowers. The creator of the first plants of this group was G. Arends, therefore some varieties are sometimes ranked among Arends astilbe.
Very small, only 45 cm high, the Astilbe Bremen is suitable for planting in a garden or growing in a pot culture. A compact bush of the Bremen variety with original dark foliage and pink inflorescences up to 15 cm long will not leave indifferent any grower.
Slightly larger than the previous Gladstone astilbe with rich white flowers, collected in pyramidal inflorescences characteristic only for Gladstone.
One of the brightest in the family of Japanese varieties is astilba Montgomery, just over 60 centimeters. Luxurious plants with unusual reddish foliage in the second half of July illuminate with dark red bursts of dense inflorescences. The flowering of the Japanese astilba Montgomery lasts two weeks, but even during this time it manages to leave an indelible impression.
Brighter than the Japanese astilba Montgomery only its "sister" in the group - the Red Sentinel astilba variety about a meter high and with crimson-red inflorescences on graceful stems of practically the same color. The leaves of this variety also have a noticeable crimson color. Inflorescences of Red Sentinel are dense, narrow, and their appearance occurs in the second decade of July.
Named after the blossoming of peach trees, the Peach Blossom astilba plant lives up to its name. The brownish-green stems of the plant already at the beginning of July are covered with a pink, delicate foam, with a shade and freshness reminiscent of spring peach petals. At the same time, the Peach Blossom bush is very small. Its height does not exceed 60 cm, and the length of the inflorescence is 15 centimeters.