Astilbe (Astilbe Arendsii) - Garden Basics - Flower - Perennial

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Plant Information Botanical Name: Astilbe arendsii
Life Cycle: Perennial
Planting Time: Spring or Fall
Height: 20" to 40"
Exposure: Light to medium shade
Soil: moist
Hardiness: Zones 4 to 9
Bloom Time: Summer
Propagation: Division in early spring
Uses: Borders and shady paths
*Deer tend to avoid astilbes

Astible is a shade garden favorite prized for both foliage and flowers. It grows well in dappled shade but will tolerate deep shade or sun. The plants perform well under deep-rooted trees where the colors are intensified by the shade. The lustrous, finely divided leaves have a fernlike appearance. Mounds of green-to-bronze foliage grow to 12 to 18 inches tall. The feathery plumes appear in mid-summer atop 2-3 foot stalks, and the blooms last for several weeks.

Astilbes can be used in flower borders, massed as a ground cover, or planted with spring bulbs to hide their fading foliage. Clumps of astilbe look good in a woodland border. They make excellent cut flowers and can be dried for winter arrangements.

Recommended hybrids of A. arendsii

'Amethyst' (shown above) produces lovely lavender plumes in early to mid- summer. And brightens your shady spot with bright pink plumes.

Astilbes do well in zones 4-9. Prepare the soil by enriching it with organic matter. If the soil is moist and rich in phosphorous you'll have tough, brilliantly colored, and pest-free plants. Set plants 15 to 18 inches apart. You'll need to water frequently if the soil is light and sandy. Use a balanced fertilizer in the spring. Plants multiply rapidly, and produce fewer flowers as they become overcrowded. Clumps should be divided in the spring or fall after two or three years of flowering. When dividing clumps, it's best to work more organic material into the soil.