If you want a perennial with colorful, showy flowers for a shady garden area, astilbe may be the perfect plant for you. Its beautiful, bright flowers grow from shiny foliage and can rise to 5 feet (1.5 m.) tall, depending on the species. Astilbe plants are as tough as they are lovely. This doesn’t mean that they are completely pest free, however. Read on for information on astilbe plant diseases.
Problems Growing Astilbe
Astilbe grows best in a shady location with well-draining soil. Too much sun can cause wilting or leaf scorching. Overall, this perennial is generally healthy. However, it can suffer from astilbe plant diseases that can kill the plant if left untreated and several that are untreatable from the get-go.
Diseases of Astilbe Plants
Powdery mildew and cercospora leaf spot are two astilbe plant diseases that are fungal in origin. Both can present serious problems growing astilbe in the garden. When you first spot powdery mildew infection, it looks like someone sprinkled white power over the plant’s leaves. If you don’t treat the powdery mildew, the plant’s leaves may yellow and die back. Powdery mildew is one of the astilbe diseases that can eventually kill the plants. Cercospora leaf spot is another of the diseases of astilbe that can prove fatal to the plant if you don’t treat it. If you see dead spots form on leaves, your astilbe may suffer from this leaf spot. This fungal infection often occurs in hot, wet weather. If the spots on the leaf are restricted in shape by the leaf veins, your astilbe may have foliar nematode, caused by the pathogen Aphelenchoides.
Treating Diseases of Astilbe
You can treat any of the fungal diseases by applying a fungicide. Spray according to directions. If your astilbe is infected by powdery mildew, leaf spot, or foliar nematode, you should also watch your cultural practices. Increase the air circulation inside the plant by thinning back the central branches. In addition, irrigate the plant in a manner that does not allow water to touch the foliage.
Fatal Astilbe Diseases
The astilbe is subject to a few diseases for which no cure is possible. These include root knot nematode, which causes galls to form on the plant’s roots, tobacco ring spot virus, and Fusarium or Rhizoctonia wilt. A plant with wilt has brown sunken areas on the lower section of stem. If your plant suffers from any of these diseases of astilbe, your best bet is to remove and destroy the infected specimens. Put them in the garbage rather than the compost to avoid spreading the disease.
-
Best Plants For Christmas Decorations – 8 Holly Jolly Holiday Decor IdeasLooking to spruce up for the holidays but want to go beyond the spruce? Here are 8 festive holiday plants just for you.
-
Gifts For Bird Lovers, Birders and Birdies To Attract More Feathered Friends To Your Yard!If you’re looking to bring more birdies to your garden, these gifts for bird lovers should definitely be on your wish list. Grab some avian attractions to get your gardens all aflutter
-
Astilbe Is Turning Brown: Troubleshooting Brown AstilbesBrowning astilbe can certainly mar your garden. Find out here why your astilbe is turning brown and what you can do to prevent or fix it here.
-
Bloom Time For Astilbe Plants: When Does Astilbe BloomWhen does astilbe bloom? Astilbe plant bloom time is usually a phase of time between late spring and late summer depending on the cultivar. Learn more about the blooming of astilbe in this article to ensure more of these flowering plants in your garden.
-
Tips On Feeding Astilbe: Learn About Fertilizer For Astilbe PlantsAstilbe produces vibrant, beautiful fronds of flowers, bringing color to dark areas. But how can you make sure you're getting the most out of your astilbe blooms? Click this article to learn more about how to fertilize astilbe plants.
-
Astilbe Bare Roots – Learn About Bare Root Planting Of AstilbeAstilbe plants are usually propagated by root division in spring. Sometimes, however, they are sold bare root at that time. For more information about growing astilbe from bare roots, you should click on the following article.
-
Dividing Astilbe Plants: How To Transplant Astilbe In The GardenMost perennial plants can be divided and transplanted, and astilbe is no exception. You don't need to transplant or divide astilbe plants every year, but every two to four years. For more information on dividing astilbe plants, click this article.
-
Astilbe Won’t Bloom: Reasons For Astilbe Not BloomingAstilbe is one of America's most loved ornamental plants, and with good reason. This hardy perennial produces masses of blooms. It is generally a reliable bloomer, but if your astilbe won't bloom, there are several possible causes. This article will help.
-
Astilbe Companion Planting: Companion Plants For AstilbeAstilbe is a fantastic plant to have in your flower garden. But what else can go in those spaces with it? Click on this article to learn about astilbe companion planting and plants that grow well with astilbe.
-
Astilbe Winter Care: How To Winterize Astilbe PlantsWhile it should survive for years, there are a few steps you can take to give astilbe a serious leg up and make sure it survives the cold. Find out how to care for astilbe plants in winter in the article that follows.
