Astilbe 'Bumalda' (False Goat's Beard) — Clump forming

Overview

Astilbe 'Bumalda' is a plant with a clump forming habit in the genus Astilbe, part of the Saxifragaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Astilbe 'Bumalda' grows best in partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H7. Suggested uses include bog gardens, damp borders and waterside planting.

About

Astilbe 'Bumalda' is a clump-forming, deciduous cultivar in the Saxifragaceae suited to shaded, damp sites. It flowers in the UK from June to August and favours a north-facing, sheltered position. Best planted into neutral loam that remains moist but is well drained. Recommended for bog gardens, damp borders and waterside planting.

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 'Bumalda' sits within the genus Astilbe and forms tidy clumps of summer-flowering stems; the foliage dies back in winter as it is deciduous. Flowering occurs in the UK from June to August, providing reliable midsummer presence where moisture is available. Place Astilbe 'Bumalda' in partial shade, ideally a north-facing, sheltered spot where soils do not dry out. It prefers a neutral loam kept moist but well drained; avoid locations that alternate between drought and waterlogging. The cultivar is fully hardy (H7) in UK conditions and will survive winter frosts when sited out of strong exposure. Use it at the water's edge, in a bog garden or within damp border compositions where soil remains consistently damp. Its clump-forming habit helps define edges and it complements planting where prolonged summer moisture is a feature. Flowerheads that appear from June to August hold their shape long enough to give structure at waterside margins and damp beds.