About
This perennial plant grows in clumps, reaching heights of up to 1.8 meters. It features a robust mass of finely divided green leaves that have a subtle bronze hue. In summer, it produces large, arching clusters of greenish-white flowers.
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
- West-facing, East-facing, North-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H4
Plant details
- Plant type
- Bogs, Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Cottage and informal garden
- Native to
- Asia
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow in moist 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
- Cut down all stems and leaves before the new spring growth emerges
- 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, but may be susceptible to vine weevil
- Disease resistance
- May be susceptible to powdery mildews