About
Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii is a robust perennial, reaching heights of 1.2 to 2 meters. It forms dense clumps of finely textured, fern-like foliage that is glossy dark green and can grow up to 40 centimeters in length, featuring serrated edges. In late summer, it produces slender spikes of reddish-purple flowers, which can extend up to 45 centimeters long.
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, North-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial, Bogs
- Habit
- Clump forming, Suckering
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- Asia
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 affected by leaf scorch in hot sun. Good for waterside planting but spreads by runners and may therefore have the potential to become a nuisance. See Astilbe cultivation
- Pruning
- Cut down all stems and leaves before the new spring growth emerges
- Propagation
- Propagate by division in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to vine weevil
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to Powdery mildews and leaf scorch in hot sun