For maintenance reasons, lupines do not actually need regular pruning. But one can argue about how the garden looks nicer. Astilbes that have turned autumnal or are covered with a little snow or hoarfrost can be very decorative.
Dried or withered scissors can be cut off
How to properly trim spiers
Only ever use really sharp tools for cutting, this also applies to the quite solid stems of the astilbe. Diseased plant parts should always be cut off and disposed of immediately if possible. However, the compost is not suitable for this, otherwise the germs will spread to other plants. You can also remove dead plant parts without hesitation.
If your Astilbe becomes bald in the middle, a cut often doesn't help much. Rather share the plant or the root ball. So you get two or more plants that can grow evenly again. You can prevent this balding if you divide your splendor regularly about every four years. Pruned vigorously in the spring, spiers sprout again relatively quickly.
Splendor for the vase
Many types of splendor are ideal for the vase. Only prune astilbes when the lower third of the flowers have fully opened. So they stay fresh in the vase for a long time. Do you have a rain barrel in your garden? Then water your Astilbe with low-lime rainwater, both in the vase and in the garden bed. It will thank you with a lush bloom.
Individual panicles of flowers look very elegant in a tall, narrow vase. But also in a lush bouquet or mixed with other flowers, spiers are pretty cut flowers. Combine tone-on-tone or high-contrast, just as you like.
The essentials in brief:
- Always cut off diseased parts of the plant immediately
- elegant cut flower
- for tone-on-tone bouquets or high-contrast bouquets
- Possibly cut back in spring
tips
Leave your astilbe in the garden uncut over the winter and enjoy the filigree panicles of flowers covered with hoarfrost.