Astilbe thunbergii 'Straussenfeder'
I've always wanted to try my hand at Astilbe and decided to try this strain this year. The flower spikes droop over in a fountain manner. My 3 bulbs arrived today and where to plant is my question. I have lots of shady spots, but really wanted to plant one in the now bare "point" at the back of this garden where the fountain planter sits in this photo. The tree stump has since rotted out and is gone. This spot is in full shade/part shade 3/4 of the day. The photo was taken mid-afternoon & as you see, the sweet potato vine in the fountain is showing sun on its leaves. It gets sun 1-2 hours, until the sun moves more to the right. Then a ligustrum tree & my house once again cast shade on the spot. Do you think astilbe will tolerate 1-2 hours hot, afternoon 100º Texas sun? I could plant it along the back fence line, bit it won't be as visible. I've seen astilbe images shot in full sun, so clearly they will tolerate some. I'm just not sure whether to risk the astilbe there.
Here's the lovely variety I will be planting: https://images.search.yahoo.com/yhs/search?p=astilbe+thunbergii+%27Straussenfeder%27&fr=yhs-mozilla-001&hspart=mozilla&hsimp=yhs-001&imgurl=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.99roots.com%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2FAstilbe-thunbergii-Straussenfeder_1378_1280_1280.jpg#id=0&iurl=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.99roots.com%2Fuploads%2Fimages%2FAstilbe-thunbergii-Straussenfeder_1378_1280_1280.jpg&action=click
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https://www.rhs.org.uk/Plants/94693/Astilbe-Straussenfeder-(thunbergii-hybrid)/Details?returnurl=%2Fplants%2Fsearch-results%3Fform-mode%3Dfalse%26query%3Dastilbe%26aliaspath%3D%252fplants%252fsearch-results
Hope this helps Peggy - I have an Astible which grows mostly in shade bar 2 hours sunshine - the soil doesn't really dry out - comes back every year - that said the hottest days here are appx 80 degrees if we are lucky!
You have a lovely garden by the way
Tray
I think you run the risk of it burning and or the soil drying out. Maybe put them in a pot so you can move them if they look like they are suffering.
Astilbes need plenty of moisture at their roots.
Thank you, Tray14. Yes, your summers are considerably milder than ours. I think Sussexsun may be right, I run the sun-scorching risk. I like the idea of trying them in movable pots, Sussex. I think that's doable for sure.
Actually, Joyce, the rear end of this garden is the low end of my garden as well as the low end of this city block. When it rains, my yard would be flooded were it not for the French drain that receives all the roof run-off from my house, as well as the neighborhood ground water for the entire block. This garden is mostly moist even in summer unless we are experience a drought period. Along the visible gray fence line is ALWAYS damp, so that might be a better spot than I had picked out where the fountain planter sits.
Thanks for all the tips everyone. I'll take your advice to heart. My Texas garden forum wasn't encouraging they would take our summer heat, so I'm glad I only invested in 3 bulbs. They may not work out for me in ANY location if heat is an issue for Astilbes, but I'll give them a go either in pots or in deepest, moist shade.
Oh, I'm so excited! The Astilbe I planted along this fence just 10-12 days ago is already nearly up to my knees! (So are the two I planted in my smaller garden at the other end of my back yard). I'm amazed! Maybe I shouldn't have hesitated to order the. Here's the one thats growing the fastest, and it's in full shade, damp soil all day long. Happy little camper I'd say. It's growing almost like it is on steroids:
. I just hope there will be enough dappled sun later in season to bloom.