Can astilbe's be divided?

That's my question! Can astilbe's be divided?

One more question while I'm thinking about it: last year I bought 7 astilbe, put them in various what I thought were a shady enough locations, each one seemed to wilt and die after it bloomed. I mean, down to sticks.

I checked today, however, and they're coming back up. I'm wondering if I should leave them where they are, or move them somewhere where it's REALLY shady.

Thanks!

How shady is the area? If they're getting a lot of sun in the afternoon then they'll probably never be happy, but if they're only getting a bit of morning sun then there's a good chance it was something else that was the problem. If you planted them last year and the weather was already hot or got hot shortly after you planted them they could have just been suffering from transplant shock which would mean this year they'd be fine. Or maybe you weren't watering them enough--I have a feeling they like to be pretty wet. If they are in the root zone of a tree also that could be a problem--trees have a bad habit of stealing a lot of the water you put there, so thirsty plants can sometimes struggle a bit if there are too many tree roots around.

You might need more moisture. I have several Astilbes underneath a tree lilac - some do fine, a couple always start to die back at least a month earlier than the others and I am sure it is a water issue. - need to give them a little extra!

When you say they wilted and die down what time of year did that happen?

Dont know about division - mine have nevergotten to a size I would want to bother.

Right. I think you've both identified my problems. I did plant them late...must have been in late May and it was already hot here. And though they're shady in the AM they get afternoon sun. And I probably didn't water them enough soon enough...by the time I realized they needed more I think the damage had been done.

If they are happy, do they typically stay green after they bloom - or are they like bleeding hearts that need to be cut back after blooming because their foliage naturally yellows?

I went ahead and divided them, leaving some where they were and putting others in more shady areas. I guess this is an example of why it takes so long to garden...you have to wait a year between trials!

In fact, I'm going to post a new question about plants that like only afternoon sun. I've got a couple of areas that are totally shaded out by my house or be trees until about 2:30, then they get hit full blast for about two hourse, then they're back in the shade. Haven't had luck with either shade or sun plants!

I don't grow them but I'm pretty sure they're supposed to stay green. Afternoon sun is a tricky situation, plants that like shade are going to fry so they're definitely not the right choice, but with only a couple hours like that sometimes it's not sunny enough for all the full sun plants.

Deb they should stay green until fall.
And like many plants who like moist areas if you can keep their feet wet they can take lots of sun.

I have astilbes under a tree where they get a little morning sun then full sun starting about 3 pm. They have done very well and stay green until winter arrives, but I water them a lot, especially when it's hot and dry. But Illinois sun is not Alabama sun, so I don't know how much Southern sun they can take.

Thanks, everyone... WATER is the word!