False Spirea Astilbe 'Maggie Daley' (× arendsii)

Water

False Spirea should be kept consistently moist without becoming waterlogged. Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch, which typically amounts to twice a week during active growth in warmer seasons. In cooler seasons or rainy weather, reduce watering to once a week or less, depending on the soil's moisture level. Ensure you’re providing about one gallon of water to the plant at each watering, allowing the moisture to seep deeply into the soil to encourage robust root growth. Adjust the frequency to maintain a slightly moist soil environment without causing standing water around the plant's base.

Light

False Spirea thrives best in partial shade conditions; direct afternoon sun can scorch the delicate foliage. The ideal lighting situation is dappled sunlight or bright indirect light, especially in a spot that receives some morning sun but is protected from the intense heat of the afternoon. If fully shaded, the plants might not bloom as vigorously, so finding that balance of light is key to their success.

Temperature

False Spirea prefers moderate temperatures and can survive within a considerable range. Ideally, aim to maintain an environment where temperatures are between 60°F and 75°F. The plant can tolerate minimum temperatures down to about 40°F and maximum temperatures up to around 85°F, but extreme temperatures outside of this range can stress the plant.

Pruning

Pruning False Spirea is primarily for shaping and removing spent flower stalks, which encourages new growth and future blooms. The best time to prune is after flowering, in late summer or fall. Cut the flower stalks back to the ground and trim any dead or damaged foliage as needed. This maintenance is usually an annual task to keep the plant looking tidy and healthy.

Cleaning

As needed

Soil

False Spirea thrives in moist, well-draining soil rich in organic matter. A mixture of garden soil, peat moss, and perlite creates an ideal growing medium. The preferred soil pH range for this plant is slightly acidic to neutral, around 6.0 to 7.0.

Repotting

False Spirea, also known as Astilbe 'Maggie Daley', generally does not need frequent repotting and can be done every 2-3 years or when the plant outgrows its pot. Division of rhizomes is also recommended during repotting to rejuvenate plant growth.

Humidity & Misting

Astilbe 'Maggie Daley', commonly known as False Spirea, prefers high humidity levels, mimicking its natural woodland habitat. Aim to maintain about 60-80% relative humidity for optimal growth.

Suitable locations

• Indoor

  For False Spirea, ensure partial shade and keep soil moist.

• Outdoor

  Plant False Spirea in shade, keep soil moist, mulch.

• Hardiness zone

  4-9 USDA

Life cycle

Astilbe 'Maggie Daley' begins its life cycle as a dormant rhizome that is planted in moist, well-drained soil during early spring or fall. The plant emerges from dormancy with the growth of feathery foliage, indicating the vegetative stage, with the leaves gradually maturing and forming a lush clump. As the growing season progresses, typically in late spring to early summer, 'Maggie Daley' enters its reproductive stage, producing tall, plume-like flower stalks that are rich in color and favored by gardeners for their visual appeal. After blooming, which can last for several weeks, the flowers eventually fade, and the plant sets seeds that may drop to the ground and potentially germinate to form new plants. During autumn, as temperatures drop, the foliage of 'Maggie Daley' turns brown and the plant enters a period of senescence, preparing for winter dormancy by retracting nutrients back into the rhizome. Throughout the winter, the plant remains dormant until the next spring when the cycle starts anew.

Propogation

• Propogation time

  Early Spring

• The Astilbe 'Maggie Daley', commonly known as false spirea or false goat's beard, is often propagated by division, a method that is best carried out in the spring or fall when the plant is not in active growth. To propagate by division, one should gently lift the parent plant from the ground, taking care not to damage its root system. The root clump can then be carefully separated into smaller sections, ensuring that each new piece has at least one growth bud or eye. These divisions should be replanted as soon as possible, positioned at the same depth they were growing previously and spaced about 18 to 24 inches apart (approximately 45 to 60 centimeters). It's important to keep the new plants well-watered, especially during their first season, to help establish a robust root system.