Astilbe: False Spirea
Astilbe have been cultivated since the late 1700s and have become a staple in the shade garden. They offer feathery textured foliage and beautiful, fluffy spires of flowers.
Plant care & info
Family: Saxifragaceae
Genus: Astilbe
Common Name: False Spiraea
The genus Astilbe consists of approximately 12 species from east Asia and North America.
Astilbe are hardy, deciduous perennials that thrive in partial or dappled shade and moist soils. They can grow in well-drained soils with regular water and along the moist edge of a pond. It is essential Astilbe do not dry out in summer.
Astilbe requires little maintenance other than division of old plants when the center of the clump dies out (about every three years). Encourage maximum blooms with yearly fertilizing of compost and/or a granular all-purpose fertilizer.
Attracts butterflies, hummingbirds and beneficial insects. Deer resistant. Good cut flowers. Tolerates moist soil.
As with other members of the Saxifrage family, Astilbes are susceptible to root weevil. They can be controlled with beneficial nematodes in the spring.
In June, July, or August, blooms erupt in shades of pink, lavender, red, and white. They make wonderful cut flowers at a time when many blooms of the shade garden have passed.
Besides their lovely appearance, Astilbe are one of the best choices for the ever-so-common semi-shady moist spot in the garden. With that in mind, they combine well with Hosta, Acorus, Ligularia, ferns, Pulmonaria, and Japanese iris. Since they have been admired for centuries, there is an overwhelming array of varieties and hybrids available.
Explore More False Spirea
Astilbe x Arendsii
Astilbe x Arendsii
Hybrids from Germany bloom in mid to early season with perhaps the widest bloom color selection and dark new leaves. Hardy in zones 5-8.
Varieties include:
- ‘Amethyst’ — Early, lilac pink flowers, plants reach 30-36″ tall and 24″ wide.
- ‘Bridal Veil’ — Profuse, white to creamy yellow flowers. Plants reach 30″ tall and 18″ wide.
- ‘Fanal’ — Early, dense, crimson red flowers and bronze new growth. Award winning variety. 24″ tall and 18″ wide.
Astilbe Chinensis
Astilbe Chinensis
Chinese Astilbe are exceptionally vigorous in growth and have dense, later blooming (July-August) flowers. Hardy in zones 5-8.
Varieties include:
- ‘Pumila’ — A distinct variety for it’s dwarf habit, 8 – 10″ tall and 10″ wide. Dense mauve to lilac plumes. Great edging plant.
- ‘Purple Candle’ — Dark purple plumes in summer. Plants grow 2-4′ tall 2′ wide.
- ‘Vision’ Series — a group of midsize Astilbe reaching 12 – 18″tall and 20″ wide. Lacy foliage is topped by dense flowers in shades or pink, red, or white.
Japanese Hybrids
Astilbe x Japonica: Japanese Hybrids
Japanese hybrids are early to mid season (May, June, or July) bloomers with wide fluffy spires.
Varieties include:
- ‘Montgomery’ — A dark red flowering variety with glossy green leaves that emerge bronze in spring. It grows 20″ tall and wide.
- ‘Peach Blossom’ — Pale pink to peach flowers in May and June. Grows 24″ tall and 18″ wide.
- ‘Rhineland’ — Dense, bright pink plumes in May through June. Pla
Astilbe Simplicifolia
Astilbe Simplicifolia
This group of Astilbe is smaller with finely cut foliage, and shorter light pink blooms.
The most readily available variety is ‘Sprite’. It has light pink plumes in June and grows 10 – 12″ tall and wide.
Astilbe Thunbergii
Astilbe Thunbergii
This group has dramatic, large, drooping panicles in July and August. The plants are also larger growing and cold hardy to zone 4.
‘Straussenfeder’ (a.k.a Ostrich Plume) has graceful, arching magenta plumes on plants that reach 30″ tall and 20″ wide.
Newer Hybrids
Newer Hybrids
- ‘Chocolate Shogun’ — Stunning burgundy foliage topped with light pink flowers June through July. Grows 20-24″ tall and 12-18″ wide. Hardy to zone 4.
- ‘Color Flash Lime’ — Bright chartreuse leaves with soft pink flowers in June and July. Grows 24-36″ tall and wide. Hardy to zone 4.
