Astilbe thunbergii
a perennial member of the Astilbe genus in the family Saxifragaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
- Family
- Saxifragaceae
- Genus
- Astilbe
- Life cycle
- perennial
- Height
- 0.5 m
- Fertility
- Insects
- Flower type
- hermaphrodite
- Pollinators
- Insects
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Young leaves - cooked[2][3]. The leaves are a tea substitute[3].
- Plant part
- Leaves
- Product or use
- Tea
Environment
- Range
- E. Asia - Japan.
- Habitat
- Sunny grassy slopes, C. and S. Japan[7].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy, clay
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- intolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
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[5]. 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.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Succeeds in a rich garden soil if this stays reliably moist in the summer[1]. Requires a wet or moist peaty soil in sun or partial shade[4]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 to 7[5]. Prefers partial shade[5]. The plant is found in sunny habitats in the wild[7]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[6].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Perennials Volumes 1 and 2. Pan Books 1991-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30936-9
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Thomas. G. S. Perennial Garden Plants J. M. Dent & Sons, London. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0 460 86048 8
Ohwi. G. Flora of Japan. (English translation) Smithsonian Institution 1965-00-00