About
Astilbe 'Astary White' (x _arendsii_) is a compact, low-growing perennial that forms tidy clumps. It features glossy, dark green leaves that are deeply divided and have an ovate to lanceolate shape. In the summer months, from June to August, slender, upright stems produce dense, frothy panicles of white flowers arranged in a triangular formation.
About the genus
Astilbe are perennial plants with rhizomes, characterized by their dissected leaves that typically have a ternate structure. In summer, they produce upright panicles filled with small flowers in shades of white, pink, or purple. The dried flower heads persist into autumn, adding interest to the landscape.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, West-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bogs, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist but well-drained or boggy soil in dappled shade, or in indirect sun where the soil remains moisture-retentive in summer. Drought intolerant, may be damaged in hot sun. Good for waterside planting. See Astilbe cultivation
- Pruning
- Plumes flower once and gradually fade over several weeks. Remove spent flowers stalks to improve appearance or leave in place to dry for ornamental interest.
- Propagation
- Propagate by division. Divide overcrowded clumps every three to four years and discard older rhizomes to maintain vigour
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to vine weevil. Tolerates rabbits and deer
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to Powdery mildews