The Mighty Chocolate Cherry Astilbe is a stunning flower that’s celebrated by gardeners worldwide. Read on to see why it is such a popular plant!
A Description
The Chocolate Cherry Astilbe, also know as ‘Chinese Cherry’, is a tall perennial that boasts of cherry-red flower plumes atop chocolate-red stems.
The foliage contrasts nicely with the flower spikes, with dark green shades adorned with chocolatey brown and red overtones. These leaves maintain their allure throughout the seasons, even when other plants are beginning to wane.
Astilbe plants can reach impressive heights, going up to 4 feet tall and 4 feet wide at the base, depending on the climate.
How Do You Take Care of your Astilbe?
The Chocolate Cherry Astilbe is a robust grower. While it is generally easy to grow, a few details need to be taken care of.
Sunlight Needs
To help your Astilbe thrive, find a spot that’s not too bright and hot. It prefers the coolness of part shade or full shade.
If you’re in an area with cooler summers, your plant can handle a bit more sun.
Soil and Moisture
This plant loves moist, well-drained soil that’s rich in nutrients. You can make the soil perfect by adding compost.
It’s important to keep the soil consistently moist, so watering it regularly is key.
Mulch: To keep the soil’s moisture just right, cover it with a layer of mulch. Mulch helps to hold in moisture and keeps the roots cool. Use organic mulch like shredded leaves or bark, and spread it around the base of the plant.
Space Needs
When planting, give the Astilbe some space to grow. They’ll start small but can spread out and become densely packed as they mature. This means you’ll get a fuller, lusher look as time goes on.
Plant them 24 inches apart to ensure they don’t take away nutrients and moisture from other plants.
How To Show Off These Plants
These plants are quite versatile. They can be used as ground cover, foundation or within containers. You can arrange them neatly along a pathway, as border plants to welcome guests with a ‘red carpet’!
They can also be added to your selection in woodland gardens, shade gardens, or just some pots on a patio.
You can cut a few flowers to brighten up your living space with a fresh bouquet. Drying the blooms helps to preserve them, and you can keep them in vases and indoor pots for home decor.
Easy Maintenance
One of the best things about these pretty plants is their low maintenance nature. Even so, just like every other plant, there are some aspects that need to be maintained.
Powdery Mildew
The Chocolate Cherry Astilbe is sturdy and doesn’t easily fall prey to diseases. However, it’s possible that it could be affected by powdery mildew, a common plant fungus.
It is important to keep an eye out for any white powdery substance on the leaves. If you spot this, act quickly. Remove the affected areas and improve air circulation around your plant.
Trimming
When it comes to the blooms, there’s no strict need to trim them. It’s all about your preference. If the faded flowers no longer appeal to you, feel free to cut them.
Letting them stay on allows them to transform into unique seed heads that add an interesting touch to your garden, especially in the autumn season.
Dividing
Dividing the plant helps to rejuvenate it and encourages more vibrant blooms. It’s a great way to propagate your plant and fill other spots in your garden. Do this in the spring or fall every four years for the best results.
Added Advantages
Other than the striking colors and visuals of the flowers and the foliage, this Astilbe brings with it other advantages:
Fragrance
The Chinese Cherry carries a sweet and rich scent that lingers in the air.
Whether in a garden or a vase, the Astilbe stands out with its pleasing fragrance that sets it apart from other flowers.
Wildlife
These flowers attract butterflies, adding to the natural beauty of your garden.
Interestingly, the plants are resistant to nibbling from common garden grazers like deer and rabbits. This makes the Astilbe an excellent resilient choice for a variety of outdoor spaces.
Final Thoughts: A Wonderful Garden Plant
The Chocolate Cherry Astilbe is a marvel of nature, it’s color and fragrance being some of it’s most unique characteristics.
It is easy to care for, with only basic light, soil and moisture needs. You can give these blooms a try and add them to your garden. You won’t be disappointed!