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Astilbe chinensis - (Maxim.)Franch.&Sav.

Common Name Pumila Spirea,Chinese Astilbe
Family Saxifragaceae
USDA hardiness 4-8
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Damp woods and along shady streams[187]. Open broad-leaved forests, forest edges and amongst shrubs[74]. Forests, forest margins, meadows, valleys and riversides, 400 - 3600 metres[266].
Range E. Asia - E. China, Japan, Korea.
Edibility Rating    (1 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Wet Soil Semi-shade
Astilbe chinensis Pumila Spirea,Chinese Astilbe


http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Radomil
Astilbe chinensis Pumila Spirea,Chinese Astilbe
http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Radomil

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink, White. Main Bloom Time: Late summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Astilbe chinensis is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.7 m (2ft 4in) by 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland). It prefers moist or wet soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

Woodland Garden Dappled Shade; Shady Edge; Bog Garden;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves  Shoots
Edible Uses:

Young shoots[177]. No more details are given.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Massing, Rock garden, Woodland garden. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[233]. A first class ground cover plant, the lower-growing cultivar 'Pumila' is particularly recommended[233]. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Suitable for dried flowers. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Prefers a rich garden soil, but succeeds in most soils so long as they stay reliably moist in the summer[1, 233]. Requires a wet or moist peaty soil in sun or partial shade[187], growing well under shrubs[233]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 to 7[200]. Prefers partial shade[200], especially if the soil is on the dry side[233]. Plants are hardy to about -20°c[187]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233]. There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[233].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Only just cover the seed. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame until they are at least 20cm tall. Plant them out in the summer, or late in the following autumn. Division in spring. This is best done every 3 - 4 years in order to maintain the vigour of the plant[200]. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whist smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

TEMPERATE ASIA: Russian Federation (Primorye, Amur), China (Zhejiang Sheng, Heilongjiang Sheng, Henan Sheng, Hebei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Gansu Sheng (southeast), Jiangxi Sheng, Jilin Sheng, Liaoning Sheng, Shanxi Sheng, Shandong Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Qinghai Sheng (southeast), Yunnan Sheng), Korea, Japan (Kyushu (Tsushima))

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Aralia chinensisChinese Angelica Tree, Pumila Spirea, Chinese AstilbeShrub3.5 4-8 MLMHFSM22 
Astilbe longicarpa Perennial1.0 0-0  LMHSM102
Astilbe thunbergiiAstilbePerennial0.5 4-9 MLMHSNM103

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

(Maxim.)Franch.&Sav.

Botanical References

74200266

Links / References

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