About
Astilbe 'Opal' (x _arendsii_) is a perennial that forms clumps reaching around 1 meter in height. It features glossy, divided leaves in a mid-green hue. In mid-summer, the plant produces clusters of small, fluffy flowers in a silvery lilac-pink shade, arranged in elongated, branching inflorescences.
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
- Full sun, Partial shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Poorly-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, North-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed, 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
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist, fertile, humus-rich soil in full sun, or in partial shade if soil is likely to dry out in the summer. Plants must be divided every three to four years to maintain vigour
- Pruning
- 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 late winter or early spring, pot divisions under glass and plant out in late spring
- Pest resistance
- Generally pest-free
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to Powdery mildews and leaf scorch in hot sun