Re: [SG] Astilbes

I concur with your affection for astilbes. Tell me--which kinds get 6-7 feet
tall? I have 'Superba' and it gets around five feet, and also the native one
biternata, and that gets about six, in bloom. Do you think astilbes grow
taller where it's colder? (I'm in New York City.) When does your 'Superba'
bloom by the way? The bloom dates in catalogs seem to bear no relation to
their bloom times for me. For instance, 'Superba' always flowers in mid to
late July, never August, here.
Nancy S.

>A windy, rainy morning up here on the mountain. We certainly can use some rain!
>
>Astilbes seem to be an under used plant here in Vermont. Once people get a
chance to incorporate them in their gardens, they seem to use them more
often. We have about 40 varieties which work well with lilium, daylilies and
hosta which we also grow. We have groundcover heights of 8" up to some that
are 6-7 feet tall. They can take a lot of abuse and still come back well.
This year we had almost no rain from late March into late May. The astilbes
actually wilted and then one night got hit by a 24 degree frost. First time
I have ever seen them affected this way---but of course they bounded back in
a couple days!
>
>They are a good investment because they are very hardy and can be split up
to share with friends, give to plant sales, etc. Taquetti Superba is one of
the taller ones that butterflies enjoy later in the season when it blooms.
It multiplies well and takes an axe or big knife to split it up. I think my
favorite is Straussenfeder which is a rosy pink weeping ostrich plume type
that reaches about 4 feet here in July.
>
>I have never found a good book on Astilbes--only a few words here or there.
Descriptions seem quite basic and limited to color and height. If anyone
knows of a good resource, I'd appreciate it.
>
>Happy gardening!
>
>George Africa
>Vermont Flower Farm
>256 Peacham Pond Road
>Marshfield VT 05658
>Zone 4
>bizplanr@together.net
>
>
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