Astilba Diamant: variety description, planting and care, shelter for the winter, reproduction with photo

Astilba Diamant is chosen, first of all, because of its high decorativeness and frost resistance. This plant of extraordinary beauty can grow both in open areas and in partial shade. A perennial herbaceous plant in natural conditions found in deciduous forests and on the banks of rivers. In order for Astilba Diamant to actively grow and develop, you need to know its features, the subtleties of planting and care.

History of Astilbe Diamond breeding

The Diamant variety was bred by the famous breeder Arendsa. By crossing the tall astilba David, 40 hybrid forms were obtained, including Diamant, which is distinguished by snow-white flowers.

Description and characteristics of the plant

In order for Astilbe Diamond to effectively decorate the garden, bloom for a long time and not get sick, you need to familiarize yourself with its characteristics and distinctive features in more detail.

Lifespan

On average, a culture can live 5-7 years. In one place, the bush is able to bloom for 10 years, if the transplant is not done, then it is possible to extend the period of growth of astilbe Diamant by periodically adding a fertile layer of soil.

The height of the bush and the shape of the leaves

Astilbe Diamond from the Saxifrage family is distinguished by a long flowering period and relative undemanding care. The height of the bush reaches almost 90 centimeters, its width is 40-50 centimeters. On fairly strong branches, complex-pinnate leaf plates are alternately dark green in color.They are medium in size and look quite original.

The shape and color of the inflorescence

Astilba Diamant flowers are not large, they are small, only 0.5 centimeters in diameter. The flowers are simple, bright pink in color, have a pleasant smell. Inflorescences - wide-paniculate type.

Flower period

Large racemes bloom in June and wither in September. Astilba Diamant is suitable for both cutting and landscaping.

What frosts are terrible for astilbe

Astilba Diamant is characterized by sufficient endurance, frost resistance zone 3-4. But on the territory of the northern regions, bushes are recommended to be additionally protected from sub-zero temperatures.

Susceptibility to diseases and insects

Astilba Diamant is rarely attacked by harmful insects and dangerous diseases.A perennial herbaceous plant has increased immunity to both parasites and ailments. Only under unfavorable growing conditions and serious violations in care can such troubles arise as the appearance of secretions of slobber larvae. They are mostly harvested by hand.

This small-sized pest can be detected by its characteristic foamy solution, which is very reminiscent of saliva. It is in it that the parasite lays its offspring. The result of the life of the penny is twisted leaf plates and the loss of their natural green color. If no action is taken, Astilba Diamant will begin to wither and die.

Agrochemicals such as Aktara, Karbofos, Konfidor, Rogor are highly effective against pennit.

Sometimes the strawberry nematode, which lives on leaves and buds, and the gall nematode, which causes serious damage to the root system, can sometimes infect bushes. It is almost impossible to cure a sick astilba, it is removed from the ground and destroyed.

In case of brightened foci on leaf plates, a perennial bush should be treated with a working solution based on Karbofos or Aktara. This sign clearly indicates the presence of a pest such as a cicada on the astilbe.

From diseases, root rot can threaten the plant, which often occurs due to excessive moisture in the soil. The bush should be removed from the soil, cut off the rotten parts of the roots, treat them with a solution of potassium permanganate and transplant to a new place.

If bacterial spotting has been detected, then treatments with copper-based preparations are needed. Viral diseases are almost impossible to cure.

The use of a flower in landscape design

Due to its attractive appearance, large luxurious inflorescences, astilbe Diamant is actively used in landscaping open areas.Bushes look especially harmonious along the border, in combination with other flower crops, in a flower bed. Another winning option for placing chic bushes with a pleasant smell and bright flowers is planting in a row.

Excellent tandem of astilba Diamant with chic peonies, shaggy conifers, which also help to cover their root system from drying out and the scorching sun. Considering the fact that astilba Diamant is able to actively grow and develop even in shady areas, it is good to place it near water bodies, ponds, where there is a high level of humidity.

No matter where and in what combination Astilba Diamant will be used, it will always attract attention with its original appearance.

How to plant a herbaceous plant in the area

Astilba Diamant, although it is an unpretentious plant, but knowing the rules of planting will make it much easier to care for it in the future and get abundant and long flowering.

Optimal landing spot

When choosing a clearing for landing Astilba Diamant, you should give preference to well-lit areas. Shaded places are also suitable, the area near an artificial reservoir, a fountain. A perennial herbaceous plant is favorably planted on the north side of the building.

It is best if you plant bushes on loamy soil, where groundwater is close. The acidity level of the soil should be in the range of 5.5-6.5.

Terms and technology of disembarkation

Recommended dates for planting work - May-beginning of June. Before planting a plant, it is necessary to dig up the selected area and clear it of weeds. Add mature manure, compost or rotted peat at the rate of 2 buckets of organic matter per 1 square meter. Astilbe planting technology Diamant consists of the following:

Dig a hole 20-30 centimeters wide and deep. If you plan to plant several bushes, then the distance between them should be 30 centimeters.
Add wood ash (half a cup) and mineral fertilizer (1 tablespoon) to the hole.
Spill with water.
Pour a small layer of fertile soil and place a seedling in the center of the pit, spreading its roots on different sides.
Sprinkle roots and lightly tamp.

To preserve moisture, the soil under the bushes should be mulched with sawdust, needles, humus or peat.

Recommended proximity to other cultures

The best option for placing astilba Diamant is planting next to thujas, juniper bushes, near hostas and ferns.An excellent composition is obtained by combining astilba with hellebore, bergenia, rogersia, cuff. Diamond with aquilegia, daylilies, lilies, ferns, phlox and geraniums also looks spectacular.

How to care for "Diamond" in the garden

Perennial care is quite simple, it must be regularly moistened, fed and protected from sub-zero temperatures.

Water Regularity

Since astilbe Diamant is moisture-loving, it is always necessary to control the level of moisture in the soil. Irrigation measures should be carried out regularly. To protect the roots of the plant from drying out will allow such a simple agricultural method as mulching. In addition, the soil does not have to be constantly loosened in order to exclude oxygen starvation of the underground part of the perennial plant.

Especially the bush needs abundant moisture at the stage of inflorescence formation. In the hot season, water procedures are recommended to be carried out in the morning or evening hours. Otherwise, during the period of active sun, burns occur on the leaves.

What kind of fertilizer does the variety prefer

To achieve the desired effect when growing astilba Diamant, it is necessary to carry out feeding procedures throughout the growing season. In spring, it is advisable to apply fertilizer compositions with a high nitrogen concentration to the soil.

Rotted vegetation, which is added when hilling bushes, is best suited for these purposes.

In mid-June, it is recommended to add a potash preparation to the soil. To prepare a working solution, use 2 tablespoons of potassium s alt per 10 liters of water. When the flowering phase ends, phosphorus-containing compounds will be required, where 20 grams of the drug is used per garden planting.

Shelter of roots for the winter

To ensure the bright flowering of astilba Diamant in the future, it is necessary to properly prepare it for wintering. First of all, the bush must be cut to the ground level, and the place must be mulched with peat or humus. For reliability, it is also covered with spruce branches.

Methods of reproduction

It is possible to breed Astilba Diamond on the site both by seed and by dividing the bush. The collected last year's seeds are laid in sandy-peat (1: 3) soil by 5-7 millimeters, moistened with a spray bottle, covered with a film and placed in a room where the air temperature is +20 degrees. A pick is made after the formation of two true leaves. Crops are done in March-April.

Delenki is obtained from a plant extracted with an earthy clod. Divide it into 2-3 parts, the main thing is that each has at least four points of growth. They are planted in prepared holes at a distance of 30 centimeters.

Astilba Diamond - rightfully belongs to the luxurious decorative crops. The plant fits perfectly into any flower arrangement, does not require special skills in growing. The main thing is to adhere to the rules of agricultural technology and the result will not be long in coming.