Astilbes Won't Bloom
Forum Archives
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Aug-08-2007 at 8:56pm
I'm a new forum member, wondering if there is something more I should be doing with my astilbes than just watering well and yearly compost to enrich the soil to get them to bloom better. One blooms but not very much; the other did not bloom at all this year. Both are in part shade - full shade in AM, dappled in afternoon. Genko
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Aug-09-2007 at 7:16am
I just went outside yesterday and looked at my astilbes and thought that I am going to YANK them out of my garden. Since the first summer they have done nothing but one bloom and barely, it is a tiny bloom. I try to water them but you know everything else in that bed grows great. Are they prima donnas? If so they gots to go!
~BakingBarb
JeanneK
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Aug-09-2007 at 8:55am
Yeah, mine grow every spring, no flowering and then die off during the summer. They need lots of water. Genko, welcome to rainyside. Sounds like you have them in the right place, with water. You might try an organic fertilizer along with the compost. Of course, in my opinion the compost should be enough. If it isn't, the plant goes.... Some things are worth babying though. If you really love them, try the fertilizer.
Jeanne
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Aug-09-2007 at 10:58am
You have them in too much shade it sounds like. If you have a position where they get morning shade and afternoon sun they will bloom a lot better. I fertilize mine with a complete organic fertilizer in spring, add compost in fall and except for keeping them well watered forget about them. They bloom like crazy. They can take full sun too, but need a lot more water in that position,
Genko
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Aug-09-2007 at 9:03pm
OK I'll think about moving them to a place where they get more afternoon sun. But at some point they are on their own.
Genko
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Aug-09-2007 at 9:17pm
OOps! I meant just the opposite. Sheesh, my bad. Give them morning sun and afternoon shade. But the other will work too but you will need to water them more often. Wait until fall to move them and you can also divide them up and increase your number of plants. Give them a good drink of water the day before you divide them and make sure your shovel is sharp to get through the woody centers.
Fern
Location: Washington, Western Cascade Foothills
Posted: Aug-10-2007 at 7:13am
I'm thinking of trying Astillbes again myself. I've had suffering ones myself in the past. They really do need some bright light or sun and lots of water and fertilizer. Before I had them under an evergreen tree and I think that root competition was too much for them, because they are now doing fine at a friend's house.
Fern
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Aug-10-2007 at 7:55am It has been my experience that they don't need a lot of fertilizing. I fertilize once in spring and grow them lean the rest of the year. They bloom like mad. Dividing them every third year is another thing they need. Water is their biggest need.
Genko
Location: Washington, Puget Sound Corridor
Posted: Aug-10-2007 at 8:46am
I had heard about dividing them, and will have to look for an available morning sun/afternoon shade space, primo real estate in my garden since everyone wants it. Do you divide them in the fall? I also have to tackle my irises, which are ready for the same.
Genko
DebbieTT
Location: Washington, Kitsap Peninsula
Posted: Aug-10-2007 at 2:57pm
You can divide them in fall or spring. I prefer fall as it gives them a jump start settling in, and growing new roots for the following year.
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Aug-10-2007 at 3:21pm
I am moving mine now. I am afraid if I wait I won't be able to find them agian as they look like nothing hardly. Plus I need to get out there. Where I am moving them to they will get more water (its near the hose) and am sun and then light shade. So they will get more water and less shade.
~BakingBarb
Phlox
Location: Washington, Southwestern
Posted: Aug-18-2007 at 1:54pm
getting in here a little late but will add my 2 cents anyway.
I had to move a new one that I had planted at the north side of my house. It only got morning sun and was to dry most of the time.
My pink and white ones did great again this year. They are in the sun mid day and do great, morning shade and late afternoon shade. I do try to make sure they get lots of water. They are old enough and large enough that I don't hardly ever fertilize them, limited space.
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Aug-18-2007 at 5:15pm
I went ahead and moved mine now. If I wait until fall I forget all about them. They are starting to look a bit healthier but will have to see if they flower or not. The bed I moved them into gets more water then where they were.
~BakingBarb
Poppy
Location: Oregon, Greater Portland Metro
Posted: Aug-20-2007 at 11:09pm
I have been very angry with my astilbes and your posts have been very cathartic!!! I too have had many problems with them just sitting there, no blooms. Now I have new hope! I will move them in a few weeks to a place of am sun and afternoon shade and lots of water and hope for the best! Will keep you posted :)
bakingbarb
Location: Washington, Western
Posted: Aug-21-2007 at 7:56am
Poppy, isn't it ironic these plants normally make us feel better but when they fail
~BakingBarb
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