A popular Astilbe variety with sturdy stems and abundant flowers, Astilbe 'Hyacinth' or 'Hyazinth' (Astilbe x arendsii) features graceful, lavender-pink flower plumes rising elegantly above fern-like mounds of deep green foliage. Sparkling in the shade, each plume consists of hundreds of densely packed tiny flowers, each opening in succession, providing a long season of bloom in mid-late summer. Long-lasting, the flower plumes turn a rich caramel color which provides winter interest to the garden.

Perfect for containers or the front of borders, Astilbe 'Sprite' (Astilbe simplicifolia) is a lovely dwarf Astilbe which features attractive, open, drooping panicles of shell-pink flowers borne on arching stems. Glowing in the shade, each flower plume consists of hundreds of densely packed tiny flowers, each opening in succession, providing a long season of bloom. Quite showy, they rise gracefully in midsummer to late summer above an attractive mound of fern-like deep green, glossy leaves which emerge bronze in spring. Long-lasting, the flower plumes are followed by attractive rust-colored seed heads which provide winter interest to the garden.

A later flowering variety, Chinese Astilbe 'Maggie Daley' (Astilbe chinensis) features profuse and striking bouquets of lavender-purple flower plumes held upright on strong stems. Each plume consists of hundreds of densely packed tiny flowers, each opening in succession, providing a long season of bloom. Quite showy, they rise gracefully from mid to late summer above an attractive mound of fern-like deep green, glossy foliage.

A favorite choice as low-growing Astilbe, Chinese Astilbe pumila (Astilbe chinensis var. pumila) is a dwarf variety with stunning, fluffy, rich, lavender-purple flower plumes. Quite showy, they rise gracefully in late summer - early fall, on strong, erect flowering stems above an attractive mound of fern-like green foliage. Long-lasting, they turn a rich caramel color which provides winter interest to the garden. Perfect for the front of a border, as an edging plant, or as a dense ground cover.

A later flowering variety with lance-shaped flower spikes rather than tufted plumes, Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii 'Purpurlanz' (Chinese Astilbe) is a tall, upright perennial boasting purple flowers held in dense, graceful plumes. Blooming in late summer to early fall, each plume consists of hundreds of densely packed tiny flowers opening in succession for a long-lasting floral display. They fade to lavender as the flowers mature before turning a rich caramel color which provides winter interest to the garden. The blossoms are held on sturdy stems and rise above an attractive mound of fern-like, dark green leaves. This exquisite Astilbe is relatively trouble-free, requires little maintenance, is heavy shade tolerant, and attracts butterflies but is deer and rabbit resistant. The perfect perennial for a shady border with dappled light.

For a dramatic statement in the garden, Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii 'Superba' (Chinese Astilbe) is a tall, upright perennial boasting stunning, purple-rose, lance-shaped flower plumes. Blooming in late summer to early fall, each plume consists of hundreds of densely packed tiny flowers opening in succession for a long-lasting floral display. The blossoms are held on sturdy stems and rise above an attractive mound of fern-like foliage which emerges mahogany-red before changing to dark green. The flowers turn a rich caramel color which provides winter interest to the garden. This exquisite Astilbe is relatively trouble-free, requires little maintenance, is heavy shade tolerant, and attracts butterflies but is deer and rabbit resistant. The perfect perennial for a shady border with dappled light.