About
Astilbe 'Europa' is a clump-forming perennial that reaches heights of up to 50 cm. It features glossy, mid-green foliage with divided leaves. In late spring, it produces dense flower plumes up to 15 cm long, showcasing very pale purplish-pink blooms that rise above the leaves.
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
- North-facing, West-facing, East-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bogs, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Cottage and informal garden, Patio and container plants, City and courtyard gardens
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
- No pruning required but can cut back after flowering, or delay until spring as faded flower spikes can remain attractive in autumn and winter
- Propagation
- Propagate by division in spring
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to vine weevil
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to Powdery mildews and a leaf spot