About
Astilbe 'Vesuvius' is a clump-forming perennial that reaches a height of approximately 60 cm. Its foliage consists of glossy, dark green leaves that can grow up to 15 cm in length and are deeply divided. In midsummer, it produces purplish-red flowers that are arranged in broad, conical plumes, measuring up to 22 cm 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
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H7
Plant details
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Clump forming
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Height
- 0.5-1 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden
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. 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