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Astible- why can't I get spectacular blooms?

I've have some astilbe for about five years now- I was just going to dig them up and abandon them this year. I've never gotten any nice flowers like you see in the garden catalogs! I've moved them once to a different spot, with no luck. Is there a secret to getting them to bloom like you see in the pictures of them? That is why I bought them in the first place- to give that great color in a shady garden. The other shade lovers are spectacular, but the astilbe are a great dissapointment.

Public Comments

1. Astilbes need MOIST shade to be happy. Keep them well watered and try fertilizing them. Mixing in some organic matter in their soil (compost, peat moss) may help retain moisture.
2. I had the same think happen with my astilbe, and it was because my garden was too dry for them (even though I live in the UK!). They are bog plants that like shade so they like to be practically waterlogged.
3. Astilbe's are not pure shade plants. There sun requirements are part sun/part shade. My experiences are with plants that typically are supposed to flower but aren't producing is because they are lacking a certain mineral that is helpful for the plants flower production. I suggest using a fertilizer that is geared for a plants flower production. Perhaps some Bloom Booster or ever some rose fertilizer.