False Spirea, Hybrid Astilbe, Plume Flower, False Goat's Beard, Astilbe x arendsii,Chinese Astilbe, Astilbe chinensis, Astilbe japonica, Astilbe simplicifolia
Astilbes are excellent plants for adding color and texture to shady areas of the garden. They provide an excellent contrast when planted with other shade-loving plants such as hostas and ferns.
Astilbe is a genus of 18 species of rhizomatous perennials native to Asia and North America. They are prized for their feather-like, showy flower plumes and fern-like foliage.
Habit and Size: Astilbe plants typically grow upright, reaching heights from 6 inches (15 cm) to 5 feet (150 cm), depending on the species and cultivar.
Foliage: They feature attractive, fern-like foliage that is often glossy and sometimes has a bronze tint. The foliage is typically deep green and deeply divided, giving it a delicate and feathery appearance. It serves as a beautiful backdrop for the colorful and showy flower plumes that Astilbe is known for.
Flowers: The flowers light up the shade garden for weeks and add a dazzling splash of color to the landscape. Each plume consists of hundreds of densely packed tiny flowers, each opening in succession. These plumes come in a variety of colors, including shades of pink, white, and red. They provide a long bloom season, then turn a rich caramel color, providing winter interest to the garden.
Blooming Season: Astilbe blooms typically from late spring to late summer, although this can vary depending on the specific variety and climate. They do not all flower simultaneously and are classified with a blooming time ranging from early to late season. Therefore, to fill your garden with continuously blooming Astilbes throughout the season, you may plan to plant a variety of cultivars, from early- to late season bloomers.
Hardiness: Astilbe plants are hardy from USDA zones 3 through 9, making them suitable for a wide range of climates. They prefer part shade to full shade conditions and moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter. In fact, Astilbes are one of the few flowering plants that thrive in fully shaded locations.
Uses: In the garden, Astilbes are often used in borders, woodland gardens, shade gardens, or along streams and ponds. They are also popular in cut flower arrangements due to their striking flower plumes.
Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
Deer and Rabbit: They are generally deer and rabbit resistant, making them a great choice for areas where these animals are common.
| Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
2 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Astilbe |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height |
6" - 5' (15cm - 150cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing |
24" - 30" (60cm - 80cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil |
| Attracts | Butterflies, Bees |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
Astilbe is a versatile genus with several species and varieties popular in gardens. Here are some of the most notable:
Known for their large plumes and long bloom period, Arendsii hybrids are some of the most popular. They are derived from crosses between A. chinensis, A. japonica, A. thunbergii, and A. astilboides performed by George Arends in Germany at the turn of the 20th century. Many Astilbes planted in our gardens belong to the Arendsii Hybrids. Many available cultivars vary tremendously in size, shape, color, and blooming period. They range from copper to dark green foliage, from clear to blood-red flower plumes, and with flowering times ranging between late spring to late summer.
Some notable varieties include ‘Fanal‘ (with deep red flowers), ‘Bridal Veil‘ (white flowers), and ‘Amethyst‘ (lilac-pink flowers).
This group is often the last Astilbe to bloom. Slowly spreading, these plants are rather imposing with their fern-like foliage, mostly coarsely textured, topped by stiffly erect and narrow flower plumes. They are generally more heat and drought-tolerant, lending themselves to areas where the other Astilbes fare poorly. Their flowers are held in branched, rather narrow panicles, mostly in shades of rose to purple. Their deeply incised bronze-green foliage makes them even doubly handsome. They look best in small groups in a shaded corner of the perennial border, massed in woodlands or along streams and ponds.
Notable varieties include ‘Pumila‘ (a dwarf variety with lilac-purple flowers) and ‘Vision in Red‘ (with reddish stems and pinkish-red flowers).
These Astilbes are some of the first to bloom. They have a great early-mid summer presence and boast dense, upright, pyramidal-shaped flower plumes atop a mostly glossy green foliage.
Varieties include ‘Deutschland‘ (with pure white flowers) and ‘Rheinland‘ (with bright pink flowers).
This dwarf species has undergone extensive hybridization. The leaves are either simple (not compound) or ternate (single group of 3 leaves) and glossier than other astilbes. They form compact mounds of handsome foliage and are attractive even without flowers or fruit. Their flower plumes consist of star-like flowers in airy sprays of open panicles. Their seed heads are almost as ornamental as the flowers, extending their season of interest by a few months.
A popular variety is ‘Sprite‘, which has shell-pink flowers and bronze-green leaves.
Characterized by wavy leaves and a compact growth habit, Crispa Astilbe varieties like ‘Perkeo’ are great for small spaces and containers.
This species, with varieties such as ‘Ostrich Plume‘, is known for its arching plumes.
Each of these species and varieties offers different sizes, shapes, and colors of flowers, making Astilbe a flexible choice for adding interest to shaded or partly shaded parts of the garden.
Growing Astilbe in your garden can bring several benefits:
Shade Tolerance: Astilbes are one of the few flowering plants that perform well in full to partial shade. If you have a garden with large trees or a north-facing plot, they can add color and texture where other plants struggle.
Vivid Blooms: The plants produce feathery plumes of flowers in various colors like pink, white, red, and purple. These showy blooms can add a vibrant touch to your garden throughout the summer.
Attractive Foliage: Besides the stunning flowers, Astilbes also boast fern-like, often glossy foliage that adds visual interest even when the plants are not in bloom.
Deer and Rabbit Resistant: The plants are typically not favored by deer or rabbits, making them an excellent choice if you’re struggling with these pests in your garden.
Low Maintenance: Once established, Astilbes require minimal care. They are not particularly prone to pests or diseases.
Great for Borders and Watersides: Due to their preference for moist soil, Astilbes are excellent choices for borders of ponds or streams. They also work well in garden beds, borders, containers, and as ground cover.
Variety of Sizes: Astilbes come in a range of sizes, from compact dwarf varieties to taller ones. This makes them versatile for various garden designs.
Cut Flowers: The colorful plumes make excellent cut flowers that can be used in arrangements.
Pollinator Friendly: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, contributing to the biodiversity of your garden.
Adding Astilbes to your garden can definitely bring a lot of color, texture, and life to shady corners.
Astilbe is a versatile plant that lends itself to many garden designs due to its striking feathery plumes and lush, fern-like foliage. Here are some design ideas for incorporating Astilbe into your garden:
Shade or Woodland Gardens: Given their shade tolerance, Astilbes are perfect for planting under trees or in shady corners of your garden. They add color and texture to woodland gardens and are stunning when planted in large drifts.
Waterside Planting: Since Astilbes prefer moist conditions, they are an excellent choice for planting near ponds, streams, or in bog gardens. The feathery plumes of flowers can create a soft, romantic look along water’s edge.
Mixed Borders: Astilbes work well in mixed borders with other shade-loving perennials. They pair beautifully with hostas, ferns, hydrangeas, and heucheras. The contrasting textures and forms can create a dynamic display.
Container Gardening: Smaller varieties of Astilbe are suitable for container gardening. You can create a lovely patio display by planting them with other shade-tolerant plants.
Cut Flower Garden: With their long-lasting, vibrant plumes, Astilbes make excellent cut flowers. If you enjoy making your own flower arrangements, consider adding a few Astilbes to your cut flower garden.
Mass Planting: Planting Astilbes en masse can create a dramatic, textured sea of color in your garden, particularly effective on slopes or as ground cover.
Astilbe’s lush, fern-like foliage and bright, feathery blooms pair well with many different types of plants. When choosing companion plants for your Astilbe, consider plants that enjoy similar growing conditions – namely, partial to full shade and well-drained, moist soil. Here are some great choices:
Hostas: The large, broad leaves of hostas provide a beautiful contrast to the feathery foliage and plumes of Astilbes. Plus, hostas are also shade-loving plants.
Ferns: Ferns, like the Japanese Painted Fern or Lady Fern, share a love for shade and moist soil with Astilbes. Their delicate, lace-like leaves make a wonderful contrast to the Astilbe’s denser foliage and bright flowers.
Hydrangeas: Hydrangeas also enjoy similar growing conditions and their large, round flower clusters offer a contrasting shape to Astilbe’s tall, feathery plumes.
Heucheras (Coral Bells): Heucheras bring wonderful foliage color to the mix and their small, delicate flowers also complement the Astilbe’s showier blooms.
Bleeding Hearts (Dicentra): The delicate, heart-shaped flowers and fine foliage of Bleeding Hearts pair beautifully with Astilbe.
Rhododendrons and Azaleas: These shrubs prefer the same acidic soil conditions as Astilbe and their bold, colorful flowers can create a striking backdrop for Astilbe’s feathery plumes.
Hellebores: Hellebores are among the earliest plants to bloom in spring, and their evergreen foliage provides interest even when Astilbe is not in bloom.
Pulmonaria (Lungwort): Pulmonaria’s patterned foliage and delicate flowers are a nice complement to the bold features of Astilbe.
Ligularia: These large, shade-loving perennials have bold foliage and striking flowers that pair well with the more delicate Astilbe.
Remember, it’s important to ensure all plants have the right amount of space to grow and aren’t crowding each other. This will help maintain healthy air circulation and prevent disease.
Astilbe is relatively easy to grow, but it does have some specific needs to thrive and bloom beautifully. Here’s how you can grow Astilbe in your garden:
Choose the Right Location: Astilbe plants prefer shade to part-shade conditions, although some varieties can tolerate more sun if they’re kept consistently moist. They make an excellent choice for those tricky parts of your garden that don’t get much sunlight. While Astilbe can grow in deep shade, it should be noted that it will not flower as much.
Prepare the Soil: Astilbes thrive in well-drained, humus-rich soil. They prefer slightly acidic pH, but will tolerate a range of soil pH. You can amend the soil with compost or well-rotted manure to improve its fertility and drainage.
Planting: Dig a hole twice the width and the same depth as the nursery pot. Place the plant in the hole, ensuring that the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Backfill the hole with soil, firm it gently, and water thoroughly.
Watering: Astilbes prefer evenly moist soil, so regular watering is crucial.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help retain soil moisture and suppress weeds. This can be particularly beneficial during hot, dry summers.
Feeding: A slow-release, balanced fertilizer applied in the spring can help promote vigorous growth and abundant blooming. Alternatively, you can top-dress the soil with compost or well-rotted manure.
Pruning: After the blooms fade, you can leave them in place as they add interest to the winter garden. However, if they look untidy, feel free to prune them back.
Dividing: Every 3-4 years, you may want to divide your Astilbe plants to prevent them from becoming overcrowded and to keep them healthy. This is best done in the early spring or fall.
With the right conditions and a little care, Astilbe can provide you with stunning, feathery blooms throughout the summer. Enjoy their beauty and the dynamic element they bring to your shade garden.
| Hardiness |
3 - 9 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones |
2 - 8 |
| Climate Zones | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, A2, A3 |
| Plant Type | Perennials |
| Genus | Astilbe |
| Exposure | Full Sun, Partial Sun, Shade |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Late) Summer (Early, Mid, Late) |
| Height |
6" - 5' (15cm - 150cm) |
| Spread |
1' - 2' (30cm - 60cm) |
| Spacing |
24" - 30" (60cm - 80cm) |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Water Needs | Average |
| Soil Type | Loam |
| Soil pH | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Moist but Well-Drained, Moisture Retentive |
| Characteristics | Dried Arrangements, Cut Flowers, Showy |
| Tolerance | Full Shade, Deer, Rabbit, Wet Soil |
| Attracts | Butterflies, Bees |
| Landscaping Ideas | Patio And Containers, Beds And Borders, Ponds And Streams |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage |
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Create a membership account to save your garden designs and to view them on any device.
Becoming a contributing member of Gardenia is easy and can be done in just a few minutes. If you provide us with your name, email address and the payment of a modest $25 annual membership fee, you will become a full member, enabling you to design and save up to 25 of your garden design ideas.
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