What's doing this to my Astilbe?

Diane Basile
by Diane Basile
In the last week or so Astilbe that I moved last fall is suddenly going all brown and wilted. It has been healthy up until then but is now dying off. Its bordering some lamium and the lamium seems to be doing fine. Does anybody have any idea why this is happening?
  11 answers
  • Diana Diana on Jun 29, 2016
    Astilbe likes to be in the shade in moist - not wet, soil; at the most, early morning sun is the maximum it should get. Your site looks quite bright - is it getting too much sun? Not enough moisture? If it was doing well before you moved it, it obviously doesn't like it's new site. If this is not the case, tell me more........Master Gardener in BC
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jun 29, 2016
    It is definitely burned by to much sun.
  • Melissa Melissa on Jun 30, 2016
    I agree, to much sun, also the ground cover you have planted next to it may be choking it out.
  • RichandTammy Whiteside RichandTammy Whiteside on Jul 01, 2016
    I was thinking the same thing as Melissa because all of mine get full sun and they're doing fine.
  • Grandma EGADs Grandma EGADs on Jul 01, 2016
    I've had Astilbes that did wonderful until a branch fell and started letting the sunshine hit it directly. I'd dig those up and move them, quick.
  • Mary Coakley Mary Coakley on Jul 02, 2016
    Looks like it got too dry,you can cut off affected areas down to green stems,mulch with ordinary compost any general fertiliser one you mix with water I find good it waters and feeds at the same time.Good luck.
  • Bonnie Bonnie on Jul 03, 2016
    cHECK FOR MOLE/VOLE TUNNELS- I'M HAVING A TERRIBLE TIME !!!
  • Rosel Kynast Rosel Kynast on Jul 07, 2016
    It can take a little sun, but needs to be watered every second day, for a deep watering you can do it twice a week. If you have a place with filtered sun, that would be perfect. It also needs some fertilizer, do it after watering.
  • G Cameron G Cameron on Jul 10, 2016
    Same thing happened to mine - they are drying out. They need lots of water and don't like the full sun. I actually pulled mine out of the ground and put them into a container in the shade, they now look beautiful!!!
  • Same happened to mine after being established. Outer tree that was shading it lost a branch, didn't realize that left the Astilbe getting too much hot afternoon sun. Lost it before I realized. :( I'm looking for another for my shade only garden now ;)
  • Paulette Paulette on May 29, 2023

    My Astilbe on its leaves have a rust coloring. They sit in front of lilies under a hydrangea tree. Hope you can help me . Thanks in advance