False Spirea Astilbe 'Heart and Soul' (PBR)

Water

False Spirea should be consistently kept moist, especially during its growing season in the spring and summer. Watering should occur when the top inch of soil feels dry, typically once or twice a week, depending on the temperature and humidity conditions. Use thorough soakings, allowing water to penetrate deep into the soil, which is usually achieved by applying approximately one to two gallons per week for established plants. In hotter or windier weather, more frequent watering may be necessary. Ensure that the plant is not left in standing water as this can lead to root rot.

Light

False Spirea thrives in partial shade to full sun. The plant prefers a location that provides morning sunlight and afternoon shade, or dappled sunlight throughout the day. Avoid placing it in direct, hot afternoon sun as this can scorch the delicate leaves and flowers.

Temperature

False Spirea does well in a moderate climate and can tolerate temperatures ranging from about 20°F to 80°F. It's hardy in USDA zones 4 through 8, indicating it can withstand winter lows down to -30°F. Its ideal growing conditions are between 60°F and 70°F, which promotes healthy growth and abundant flowering.

Pruning

False Spirea should be pruned to remove spent flowers and dead or damaged stems to encourage healthy growth and improve air circulation. Pruning is best done in late winter or early spring before new growth begins. Lightly trimming the plant after it blooms can sometimes encourage a second flush of flowers. Cutting back the foliage by about a third every few years helps maintain the plant's vigor.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

Astilbes, commonly known as False Spirea, thrive in a moist, rich, organic soil mix. The best soil mix for 'Heart and Soul' includes equal parts of loam, peat, and perlite to ensure good drainage and fertility. The soil pH should be slightly acidic to neutral, ideally ranging from 6.0 to 7.0 for optimal growth.

Repotting

False Spirea, or Astilbe 'Heart and Soul', should be repotted every 2 to 3 years. It is best to repot in the spring before new growth begins to give the plant a fresh start with more room for its roots to expand.

Humidity & Misting

'Heart and Soul' Astilbe, or False Spirea, prefers high humidity levels, ideally around 60-80%. Maintain consistent humidity to promote lush foliage and vibrant blooms, avoiding excessively dry environments.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  Keep 'Heart and Soul' Astilbe in bright, indirect light with high humidity indoors.

• Outdoor

  Plant 'Heart and Soul' Astilbe in partial shade, moist soil outdoors.

• Hardiness zone

  4-8 USDA

Life cycle

Astilbe 'Heart and Soul', also known as false goat's beard, begins its life cycle as a seed, which upon germination develops into a small seedling with embryonic leaves. The seedling stage transitions into a vegetative phase, where the plant experiences rapid growth of foliage and roots, forming a robust clump of fern-like leaves. In this stage, the plant stores energy in preparation for flowering. As maturity is reached, Astilbe 'Heart and Soul' enters the reproductive phase, usually in early to midsummer, producing tall, plume-like flowers that attract pollinators and can be various shades of pink or white. After pollination, the flowers will produce seeds which can be dispersed to continue the species lifecycle. Eventually, as the cooler weather of fall approaches, the plant enters dormancy, with its foliage dying back to prepare for winter, conserving its energy in the rhizomes to survive until the next growing season.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Spring to Summer

• The most popular method of propagation for Astilbe 'Heart and Soul' is division, which is ideally done in late fall or early spring. To propagate by division, the gardener should carefully dig up an existing clump of the plant, ensuring to maintain a generous amount of soil around the roots. Then, using a sharp, clean knife or spade, the clump is divided into smaller sections, each with several shoots and a portion of the root system. These divisions should be immediately replanted at the same depth they were growing at previously, and watered thoroughly. The soil should remain moist but not waterlogged to encourage rooting without risking rot. It's important that the new divisions are spaced approximately 18 inches (about 45 centimeters) apart to allow enough room for the plants to grow and mature. This method allows for a relatively quick increase in the number of plants and ensures that the new plants will bear the same characteristics as the parent.