About
Astilbe 'Look at Me' PBR (x _arendsii_) is a perennial that forms clumps, reaching a height of approximately 45 cm. It features deep green, finely divided leaves that have a fern-like appearance. In early to midsummer, slender, upright stems of ruby red emerge, supporting airy plumes of powder-pink flowers that rise elegantly above the foliage.
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
- 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. Divide overcrowded clumps every three to four years and discard older rhizomes to maintain vigour.
- Propagation
- Propagate by division
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to vine weevil
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to Powdery mildews