Astilbes
steve howe
Posts: 55
Last summer I planted Astilbe 'Snowstorm', a dwarf variety along with Hosta 'Francis Williams' around the margin of a new pond. They did well despite going in late. However the pond is stream-fed and over the New Year period we experienced our worst flooding for years and the area was under about 6 - 9" of water for prolonged periods.
I didn't have too many qualms about the Astilbe, thinking they are a marginal wet-loving plant, but I feared for the Hostas. Now, with waters long receded, I see the Hostas beginning to send up fat buds, apparently none the worse for being drowned, but most of the Astilbe are still not showing any sign of life. I left the dead flower stems in place all winter as a marker, and tugging on these shows they are still firmly attached, so I guess the crowns have not rotted, but why so slow to shoot? I can only think that the water temperature is keeping the soil to cold.
Other Astilbe elsewhere in the garden are shooting well.
Am I fretting too much?
Steve
Posts
Some of my Astilbes are not showing yet.Maybe it depends if it is in the shade or the weather is not quite warm enough.If as you say tugging old stems seems they are firmly attached could mean it has not rotted or whatever.If the weather warms up a bit they should start shooting soon!