Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert' — Clump-forming, upright plumes above a mound of foliage

Overview

Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert' is a clump-forming, upright plumes above a mound of foliage perennial in the genus Astilbe, part of the Saxifragaceae family, with deciduous; deeply divided and toothed, often bronze-tinted when young foliage. Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert' grows best in partial shade; full sun only where the soil stays reliably wet, and tolerates fertile loam or clay enriched with organic matter soils and neutral to slightly acid pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include borders, woodland gardens, shade gardens, alongside ponds or streams, and in moist and shaded perennial beds..

About

Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert' is a clump-forming perennial bearing upright, feathery flower plumes above a mound of deeply divided foliage. The leaves are deciduous and often show a bronze tint when young. It flowers from June to August and needs reliably moist to boggy soil rather than drought-prone sites. Plant it in partial shade or in full sun only where soil remains constantly wet.

About the genus

Astilbe is a genus of 18 species of rhizomatous flowering plants within the family Saxifragaceae, native to mountain ravines and woodlands in Asia and North America. Some species are known by the common names false goat's beard and false spirea.

Wikipedia contributors, "Astilbe", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Astilbe

In the garden

Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert' is a cultivar of Astilbe grown for its upright, plume-like flowerheads carried above a rounded mound of deeply divided, toothed leaves. The foliage is deciduous and frequently bronze-tinted in early season, providing a contrast to the pale flower plumes. It suits temperate, sheltered spots where moisture is dependable. Give 'King Albert' partial shade and a north, east or west-facing aspect; it will tolerate full sun only if the soil stays reliably wet. It prefers a fertile loam or clay enriched with organic matter and a neutral to slightly acid pH. The plant will not tolerate drought, so position it where soil moisture remains consistently high or alongside ponds and streams where seepage keeps roots damp. With an H7 rating it is fully hardy in UK gardens. Use it in borders, woodland and shade gardens, in moist perennial beds or at the water’s edge where upright plumes can rise above lower companions. The flower display runs from June to August, and the contrast between the erect flower spikes and the bronze-tinted young leaves gives a seasonally specific structure to shaded planting schemes.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Astilbe

Sunlight: Partial shade; full sun only where the soil stays reliably wet
Soil type: Fertile loam or clay enriched with organic matter
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acid
Soil moisture: Reliably moist to boggy; will not tolerate drought
Aspect: North, east or west facing
Exposure: Sheltered
UK hardiness: H7

Plant details

Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert' size, habit and characteristics

Plant type: Perennial
Habit: Clump-forming, upright plumes above a mound of foliage
Foliage: Deciduous; deeply divided and toothed, often bronze-tinted when young
Suggested uses: Borders, woodland gardens, shade gardens, alongside ponds or streams, and in moist, shaded perennial beds.

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert'

Cultivation: Moisture is everything - an astilbe that dries out scorches at the leaf margins and the plumes shrivel before they open. Plant in ground improved with plenty of organic matter, mulch generously each spring, and site out of hot afternoon sun unless the soil is genuinely wet. They are excellent in the damp shade where little else thrives.
Pruning: No pruning needed. Leave the spent plumes standing for winter structure and cut the whole clump down in late winter before new growth begins.
Propagation: Divide congested crowns in early spring; the woody rootstock may need a spade or a saw. Species can be raised from seed but cultivars will not come true.
Pest resistance: Largely trouble-free, though vine weevil grubs attack the roots of container plants.
Disease resistance: Healthy in suitable conditions. Powdery mildew appears on plants under drought stress, which is a symptom of the wrong site rather than of disease pressure.

Frequently asked questions

How do I grow Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert'?

Moisture is everything - an astilbe that dries out scorches at the leaf margins and the plumes shrivel before they open. Plant in ground improved with plenty of organic matter, mulch generously each spring, and site out of hot afternoon sun unless the soil is genuinely wet. They are excellent in the damp shade where little else thrives.

Where is the best place to plant Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert'?

Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert' prefers partial shade; full sun only where the soil stays reliably wet. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert' need?

Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert' grows best in fertile loam or clay enriched with organic matter soil. It prefers neutral to slightly acid soil. Aim for soil that stays reliably moist to boggy; will not tolerate drought.

How do I prune Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert'?

No pruning needed. Leave the spent plumes standing for winter structure and cut the whole clump down in late winter before new growth begins.

Is Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert' hardy in the UK?

Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert' has an RHS hardiness rating of H7, meaning it is fully hardy throughout the UK, tolerating temperatures below -20°C.

How do I propagate Astilbe × arendsii 'King Albert'?

Divide congested crowns in early spring; the woody rootstock may need a spade or a saw. Species can be raised from seed but cultivars will not come true.

More in the Astilbe genus

Browse all Astilbe →