Astilbe

Astilbe selections

Astilbe brings a graceful, feathering note to moist, shady landscapes. In cooler climates in the northern third or so of the country it can tolerate full sun provided it has a constant supply of moisture. In drier sites, however, the leaves will scorch in full sun.

Feathery plumes of white, pink, lavender or red flowers rise above the finely divided foliage from early to late summer depending on the variety. It will spread slowly over time where well-situated. Most commercially available types are complex hybrids.

Light:: Part Sun, Shade
Zones:: 4-8
Plant Type:: Perennial
Plant Height:: 6-40 inches tall
Plant Width:: 18-30 inches wide
Landscape Uses:: Containers, Beds & Borders, Groundcover
Special Features:: Flowers, Attractive Foliage, Fragrant, Cut Flowers, Attracts Butterflies, Tolerates Wet Soil, Deer Resistant

Top Varieties

Color Flash astilbe

(Astilbe 'Color Flash') features beautiful foliage which emerges bright green, and ages to bronze, copper, and russet, providing season-long interest. Zones 4-8
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Dwarf Chinese astilbe

(Astilbe chinensis 'Pumila') is a low-growing groundcover with glossy green foliage only 6 inches tall. Grape-scented lavender bloom spires reach only one foot tall. Zones 4-8
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Fanal astilbe

(Astilbe 'Fanal') is one of the best red-flowering types. It blooms in mid-summer with dark red flowers on reddish bronze leaves. It grows to 2 feet tall. Zones 4-8
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Federsee astilbe

(Astilbe 'Federsee') bears dense rose-pink blooms on upright stems to 3 feet tall. It has better drought tolerance than most astilbes. Zones 4-8
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Ostrich Plume astilbe

(Astilbe 'Ostrich Plume') offers large, weeping pink flower clusters that bring elegance to the woodland border. The 30- to 36-inch-tall panicles form in late spring to early summer. Zones 4-8
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Sprite astilbe

(Astilbe 'Sprite') won the Perennial Plant of the Year Award in 1994. Its airy light pink flower panicles are highly branched, and appear over glossy green-toothed foliage. Zones 4-8
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Superba Chinese astilbe

(Astilbe chinensis taquetti) is a large plant, growing to 4 feet tall. It bears magenta flowers in mid- to late summer on shiny dark green leaves. Zones 4-8
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Garden Plans

Cold-Climate Shade Garden Plan
Long-Blooming Rock Garden Plan
Easy-Care Summer-Blooming Shade Garden Plan
Shared Garden
Shade Garden
Shady Side Yard Garden Plan
Patio Garden
Side Garden
Beginner Garden for Shade
Four Gorgeous Bulb and Perennial Gardens
Evening Garden
Bold Woodland Garden Plan
Pink Springtime Garden Plan

Plant It With

Hosta

Back the feathery foliage and plumes of astilbe with the bold blue-green leaves of hosta to make them stand out in the shade garden.

Coral bells

The low mounds of coral bell foliage team well with astilbe. Their airy flower spikes have a see-through effect, so plant heucher in front of the astilbes.

Japanese painted fern

The silvery divided fronds of Japanese painted fern look especially good with the glossy green leaves of astilbe. Both appreciate moist shade.

Propagation

Seed
Division

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