They're popular in many gardens with their feather-like blooms, but what are the origins of astilbe flowers?

History of Astilbe Flowers

Grown as prized ornamentals in light shade, the origins of astilbe lead us back to Japan, who first distributed the blooming plants in the late 1800's. They shared the white flowering japonica species. 

China then introduced the davidii species with pink blooms. Inspired by potential he saw in the plant, George Arends began to cross the species from his nursery in north Germany. There he experimented with ways to further dwarf the plant and add more spiky blooms. 

The astilbe was then grown primarily to be forced into bloom indoors and as an interior plant. Arends started with his hybridization efforts in the early 1900's. Cultivars 'Queen Alexander' and the light-colored 'Peach Blossom' were his first two distributed cultivars and are still found for planting today.

As Arends produced new cultivars, color and vigor of the plants improved. Throughout the 1920's and 1930's, he continued to experiment. Many of these cultivars are available and grow in our shady gardens today. He developed them in a range of colors from purple to white, with lilac in between and broader spikes. 

In 1933, Arends named and introduced 'Fanal' and it is still one of the most popular astilbe plants. It is a dwarf variety in habit with a deep red color. An Arendsii hybrid, it won the 1993 Royal Horticulture Society Award of Garden Merit and is readily available to gardeners still today. 

The noted florist and gardener Victor Lemoine in Nancy, France also experimented with astilbe cultivars during this time. Unfortunately, much of his work was lost except for 'Mont Blanc,' a white flowering astilbe. He also developed the 'French Lilac' bush as we know it today.

The Ruys family at Dedemsvaart in Holland developed astilbe to grow outside in rich, consistently moist soil. Many of their hybrids needed constant moisture and did not survive the long term. Astilbe history will remember their taller and long-stalked cultivars 'Moerheim' and 'Ostrich Plume.'

Other outdoor cultivars were developed by growers in Holland, like 'Flamingo,' 'Ellie,' and the 'Visions,' which were introduced by the van Veen family. A new dimension to astilbe is those with golden, reddish foliage which include 'Diamonds and Pearls,' and 'Milk and Honey.' You may also find musically named astilbe such as 'Rock and Roll' and 'Jump and Jive.'

Today, astilbe offers a variety of plumy color and beauty to the shade garden. For the best blooms, plant them in a spot that gets an hour or two of morning or dappled sun. Add the tubers this spring for small summer blooms.

Astilbe is a versatile and generally easy-to-grow perennial that produces feathery flower spikes. They look great as part of a perennial bed or border, but browning astilbe can certainly mar your garden. Find out why your astilbe is turning brown and what you can do to prevent or fix it.

Why is My Astilbe Changing Color to Brown?

It’s always disappointing to find a part of your garden isn’t thriving. With astilbe, you may see some browning in the flowers, but brown leaves are a more typical sign of problems. Here are some of the possible causes:

• Foliar nematode: This microscopic worm-like creature can infect astilbe. The signs are brown spots on leaves bounded by the veins. The spots mostly form on an affected plant’s lower leaves.
• Leaf scorch: When browning begins on the leaf margins, it may be a sign of leaf scorch caused by dry, hot conditions.
• Four-lined plant bug: These pests feed on astilbe, causing sunken brown spots on the leaves.
• Wilt: This fungal disease causes sunken brown areas on astilbe stems, mostly near the soil line.
• Disturbed roots: Astilbe can deteriorate if you disturb the roots by transplanting or turning the soil. This can cause overall poorer growth and browning in leaves and flowers.

What to Do About Brown Astilbes

The most common cause of browning astilbe is poor conditions. Astilbe thrive in moist conditions with soil that drains well and partial shade. Make sure you water astilbe plants regularly and don’t let them get too much direct sunlight.

Use mulch to keep water in the soil but avoid soggy soil. Even if your plants have been browned by drought, keep watering, as they may come back healthy next year.

Manage nematode and fungal infections by moving or trimming plants so that they have adequate airflow. If necessary, remove infected leaves or entire plants and destroy them.

Four-lined plant bugs may cause unattractive brown spots on leaves, but they won’t destroy plants. Use pesticides or remove the bugs by hand.

When does astilbe bloom? Astilbe plant bloom time is usually a phase of time between late spring and late summer depending on the cultivar. Read on to learn more.

Astilbe Plant Bloom Time

Astilbes are popular flowering plants for woodland gardens because they are one of the few garden gems that bloom so brightly in full shade. Their flowers display as upright, feathery plumes and come in shades of white, pink, red, and lavender. Each feathery plume is made of many tiny little flowers which open up one after the other. Astilbe cultivars come in a wide range of sizes, from 6 inches (15 cm.) small to 3 feet (91 cm.) tall. They are relatively maintenance-free, and their foliage is nice looking too – deep green and fern-like. They love rich, moist soil. An annual spring dose of 5-10-5 organic fertilizer helps them produce their beautiful blooms year after year from spring through summer.

Does Astilbe Bloom All Summer?

Each astilbe plant does not bloom all summer. Some bloom in late spring, others bloom midsummer, and the late-season astilbe plants bloom late summer or early fall. The trick to extending astilbe plant bloom time is to install a variety of cultivars from each blooming period.

• Consider the varieties “Europa” (pale pink), “Avalanche” (white), or "Fanal" (deep red) if you want astilbe with late spring or early summer bloom time.
• For an astilbe that blooms in midsummer, you can plant “Montgomery” (magenta), “Bridal Veil” (white), or “Amethyst” (lilac-purple).
• The bloom time for astilbe plants that are late-season producers is typically August through September. Consider “Moerheimii” (white), “Superba” (rosey-purple), and “Sprite” (pink).

Take good care of your new astilbe plants. Do not plant them in full sun. After a few years, you will need to divide them in the fall when they start to get crowded. Treat them right and you will have astilbe plant blooms all summer long.

If you want a perennial with colorful, showy flowers for a shady garden area, astilbe may be the perfect plant for you. Its beautiful, bright flowers grow from shiny foliage and can rise to 5 feet (1.5 m.) tall, depending on the species. Astilbe plants are as tough as they are lovely. This doesn’t mean that they are completely pest free, however. Read on for information on astilbe plant diseases.

Problems Growing Astilbe

Astilbe grows best in a shady location with well-draining soil. Too much sun can cause wilting or leaf scorching. Overall, this perennial is generally healthy. However, it can suffer from astilbe plant diseases that can kill the plant if left untreated and several that are untreatable from the get-go.

Diseases of Astilbe Plants

Powdery mildew and cercospora leaf spot are two astilbe plant diseases that are fungal in origin. Both can present serious problems growing astilbe in the garden. When you first spot powdery mildew infection, it looks like someone sprinkled white power over the plant’s leaves. If you don’t treat the powdery mildew, the plant’s leaves may yellow and die back. Powdery mildew is one of the astilbe diseases that can eventually kill the plants. Cercospora leaf spot is another of the diseases of astilbe that can prove fatal to the plant if you don’t treat it. If you see dead spots form on leaves, your astilbe may suffer from this leaf spot. This fungal infection often occurs in hot, wet weather. If the spots on the leaf are restricted in shape by the leaf veins, your astilbe may have foliar nematode, caused by the pathogen Aphelenchoides.

Treating Diseases of Astilbe

You can treat any of the fungal diseases by applying a fungicide. Spray according to directions. If your astilbe is infected by powdery mildew, leaf spot, or foliar nematode, you should also watch your cultural practices. Increase the air circulation inside the plant by thinning back the central branches. In addition, irrigate the plant in a manner that does not allow water to touch the foliage.

Fatal Astilbe Diseases

The astilbe is subject to a few diseases for which no cure is possible. These include root knot nematode, which causes galls to form on the plant’s roots, tobacco ring spot virus, and Fusarium or Rhizoctonia wilt. A plant with wilt has brown sunken areas on the lower section of stem. If your plant suffers from any of these diseases of astilbe, your best bet is to remove and destroy the infected specimens. Put them in the garbage rather than the compost to avoid spreading the disease.

Astilbe is a fantastic flowering plant for hard to fill parts of the garden. It prefers shade and moist, loamy soil, meaning it can go in those areas where other plants often languish. Unlike the ferns and mosses you might normally plant there, however, astilbe also produces vibrant, beautiful fronds of flowers, bringing color to those dark areas. What’s more, the fronds will dry and last into the winter, making for an even more welcome splash of color. How can you make sure you’re getting the most out of your astilbe blooms though? Keep reading to learn more about how to fertilize astilbe plants.

Fertilizer for Astilbe Plants

Feeding astilbe is a very low impact process. Astilbe is a perennial and it really only needs a yearly application of a basic slow release flowering perennial fertilizer. Flowering plants need phosphorus to bloom, so look for a fertilizer for astilbe plants with a middle number that’s at least as high as the other two numbers, like 5-10-5 or 10-10-10. Simply sprinkle a handful of granules on the soil. If you’re planting for the first time, rake your fertilizer for astilbe plants into the soil a couple weeks ahead of time. Once your astilbe are planted, mulch them heavily to help retain soil moisture.

How to Fertilize Astilbe Once Established

Once they’re established, you should be fertilizing astilbe plants with the same perennial fertilizer once every spring. Push aside the mulch and rake your fertilizer into the soil. Try to do it when the soil is moist but the leaves of the plant aren’t. If the plant is wet, the fertilizer is more likely to stick to it, which can be harmful to the plant and cause chemical burns. That’s pretty much all there is to it. Astilbe fertilizing doesn’t get much simpler than this!

Astilbe – also known as false spirea – is a popular perennial noted for its beautiful plume-like flowers and fern-like foliage. It grows in shady areas and, in the wild, is found near creeks and ponds. It is usually propagated by root division in spring. Sometimes it is sold bare root at that time. Read on for more information about growing astilbe from bare roots.

Astilbe Bare Roots

If you go out to buy astilbe in early spring, you may find nurseries selling it bare root. This means that it comes to you without the root ball, and that all the soil it was growing in has been cleaned off the plant. It is ready for astilbe bare root planting. A bare root plant may be sold with its roots wrapped in moist peat moss or shredded newspaper. When you are considering growing astilbe from bare roots, remember that bare root plants are also less likely to be damaged during shipping. Astilbe bare root plants won’t have any leaves or flowers that can be knocked off in transport. Still, bare root planting of astilbe calls for some extra care from a gardener.

Astilbe Bare Root Planting

The first thing to remember about growing astilbe from bare roots is to keep the roots moist at all times. You should never allow them to dry out. This is why growers ship the plants with their roots packed in moist material: they dry out very easily. If you have the plants shipped to you, open the package the minute it arrives and check to make certain the roots are damp. If not, add a little water.

Bare Root Planting of Astilbe

Bare root planting of astilbe is fairly easy, as long as you remember to keep the roots damp. When you first get the plants, inspect the roots and clip out any that are broken or damaged. The next step is to dig large planting holes. You want there to be ample room for the roots, fully extended, so that you don’t have to cram the roots into the sides. Spread out the roots in the hole. The hole should be deep enough to accommodate them, but the uppermost root should be just below the soil surface. Fill in the hole with the dirt you removed, pressing it into place. Give the plant a generous drink, and water the soil regularly until the astilbe is established.

Most perennial plants can be divided and transplanted, and astilbe is no exception. You don’t need to think about transplanting astilbe or dividing astilbe plants every year but calendar the task for every two to four years. For more information on dividing astilbe plants, read on.

Astilbe Transplanting

You can transplant most flowers, including astilbe, whenever you want to give them more advantageous positions in the garden. Moving astilbe plants is the right thing to do when the flowers have been planted in inappropriate spots or have been overshadowed by neighboring plants. Perennials that bloom in the spring, including astilbe, should be transplanted in late summer or fall. This is the right time to divide too, if necessary.

Dividing Astilbe Plants

Astilbe, like many perennials, can be divided if the root clump gets too large. Astilbes do best when they are divided about every three years. This means that you dig up the plant’s root ball and literally divide it by cutting it into several pieces. Dividing astilbe plants is good for the plants because it eliminates the formation of overcrowded clumps, and helps the plants stay healthy. The new plants created by dividing astilbe plants can be transplanted to other garden flower beds.

How to Transplant Astilbe

When transplanting an astilbe, whether or not you divide the clump, you want to reduce the plant’s shock by making sure to site it in good soil and be generous with irrigation. If you want to know how to transplant an astilbe, start by watering the plant thoroughly until the soil is completely saturated. This is an important step in astilbe transplanting since watering loosens the roots, making it easier to remove them from the ground. Before you start astilbe transplanting, dig generous holes for the transplants. The holes should be some 8 inches (20 cm.) deep and as wide as the root balls of the new transplants. The next step in moving astilbe plants is to shovel out the root balls, working a few inches (8 cm.) away from the plant. Remove the astilbe plant from the soil, keeping the root ball attached to the plant. Slice through the roots with a sharp shovel blade, cutting from the top. Create at least four transplants from each plant. Replant each in a prepared hole, then repack the soil around it. Water the plants well.

Astilbe is one of America’s most loved ornamental plants, and with good reason. This hardy perennial produces masses of blooms surrounded by lacy, fern-like foliage. Astilbe is generally a reliable bloomer, but if your astilbe won’t bloom, there are several possible causes. Read on to learn more about why your astilbe stopped blooming.

Why is My Astilbe Not Blooming?

You may be wondering how to keep astilbe blooming, especially if you notice yours isn’t flowering like it was before. Here are the most common reasons for blooming troubles and how to remedy them: Soil and Moisture – Although astilbe prefers organic, well-drained, acidic soil, it’s important that the plant is relatively moisture retentive. The soil shouldn’t be allowed to become bone dry and may require more frequent irrigation during hot, dry weather. Avoid frequent, shallow irrigation, however, which produces weak, shallow roots. As a general rule, one deep watering per week is adequate. A layer of mulch helps keep the roots evenly moist. Replace the mulch as it decomposes or blows away. Sunlight – While astilbe usually tolerates moderate sunlight, most astilbe varieties perform best in shade. If your plant is in full sunlight, provide shade (especially during hot afternoons) or consider moving the plant to a more suitable location. Also, keep in mind that astilbe planting in bright sunlight will require more frequent irrigation. Fertilizer – Astilbe plants are heavy feeders and may not bloom without adequate nutrition; this is a common reason for an astilbe that is not flowering. Provide a slow-release fertilizer with a ratio of 3-1-2 in spring, and then feed the plant a high-nitrogen fertilizer when the plant is setting buds in late summer or early autumn. If possible, amend the soil regularly with compost or well-rotted manure. Maintenance – Astilbe benefits from division when the plant is at least three years old. Although astilbe doesn’t usually need much pruning, removing spent blooms and flower stalks throughout the blooming season helps keep the plant neat. However, this isn’t a requirement and unlike many blooming plants, deadheading won’t promote more blooms. If you like the appearance of the stalks and seedpods, feel free to leave them in place until spring.

Astilbe is a fantastic plant to have in your flower garden. A perennial that’s hardy from USDA zones 3 through 9, it will grow for years even in climates with very cold winters. Even better, it actually prefers shade and acidic soil, meaning it’ll bring life and color to a part of your garden that might be hard to fill. What else can go in those spaces with it? Keep reading to learn about astilbe companion planting and plants that grow well with astilbe.

Plants That Grow Well With Astilbe

Astilbe likes dappled shade and acidic soil, so finding plants that grow well with astilbe means finding plants with similar soil and light requirements. Since it has such a broad hardiness range, choosing companion plants for astilbe also means choosing plants that will survive your winters. For instance, good astilbe companion plants in zone 9 may not be good astilbe companion plants in zone 3. Lastly, it’s a good idea to put astilbe with plants that begin to flower around the time it fades. Arendsii astilbe tends to bloom in late spring and early summer, while most other varieties bloom in mid to late summer. After it’s done blooming, astilbe will wither and brown and won’t blossom again, even with deadheading. Since it’s a perennial, though, you can’t just pull it out! Plant companion plants for astilbe that will overshadow it with impressive new flowers when it starts to die back.

Ideas for Astilbe Companion Plants

There are quite a few plants that meet these astilbe companion planting qualifications. Rhododendrons, azaleas, and hostas all prefer shade and grow in a very wide range of hardiness zones. Coral bells are a relative of astilbe and have more or less identical planting requirements. Some other plants whose blooming times and growing needs work well with astilbe include:

• Ferns
• Japanese and Siberian iris
• Trilliums
• Impatiens
• Ligularia
• Cimicifuga

Astilbe is a tough flowering perennial that is hardy from USDA zones 3 through 9. This means that it can survive the winter in even very harsh climates. While it should survive for years, there are a few steps you can take to give it a serious leg up and make sure it survives the cold. Keep reading to learn about care for astilbe plants in winter and how to winterize astilbe.

Winterizing Astilbe Plants

Astilbe plants like to be kept moist, so it’s important to keep watering yours until the ground freezes. After the first hard frost, put down about 2 inches (5 cm.) of mulch around the stem. This will help regulate the temperature of the soil and keep the roots moist throughout the winter. Be careful not to put the mulch down until the frost, though. While the roots like to be moist, mulch in warmer weather can trap too much water and cause the roots to rot. Astilbe winter care is as simple as that-- plenty of water before the frost and a good layer of mulch to keep it there.

How to Care for Astilbe Plants in Winter

When winterizing astilbe plants, there are a couple of routes you can take with the flowers. Deadheading astilbe won’t encourage new flowers, so you should leave them in place through the fall. Eventually, the flowers will dry on the stalks but should stay in place. When winterizing astilbe plants, you can cut all the foliage off, leaving just a 3 inch (8 cm.) stem above the ground. It makes astilbe winter care a little easier, and all new growth will come back to replace it in the spring. You can also save the flowers for dry arrangements indoors. If you want, though, you can leave the flowers in place through the winter. They’ll dry out and provide some interest in your garden when most other plants have died back. You can then cut back all the dead material in early spring to make way for new growth.

Growing astilbe in pots is easy and container grown astilbe may be just the ticket if you have a semi-shady area that needs a splash of bright color. This delightful plant is available in compact, dwarf varieties or taller cultivars if you’re looking for a plant with a little more height. Read on to learn about growing astilbe in containers.

How to Grow Astilbe in Pots

If you want to grow one plant, start with a container with a width of at least 16 inches and a depth of about 12 inches (30 cm.). If you want to grow more than one astilbe, look for a larger container. Fill the container with a good quality commercial potting mix, or create your own with a combination of organic material such as peat, compost, composted bark chips, perlite or sand. Be sure the container has at least one drainage hole. If you want to save yourself some time, purchase starter plants at a greenhouse or nursery. Astilbe seeds can be difficult to germinate, but if you want to try, plant the seeds directly in the pot, and then cover them lightly with potting mix. When the astilbe are 2 to 3 inches (5 to 7.6 cm.) tall, thin the plants to a distance of at least 6 to 8 inches (15 to 20 cm.) for small plants and 8 to 12 inches (20 to 30 cm.) for larger varieties. Avoid overcrowding, which can cause rot and fungal disease.

Caring for Potted Astilbe Plants

Astilbe thrives in light sunlight or moderate shade. Although astilbe grows in total shade, the blooms won’t be as vibrant. However, if you live in a hot climate, locate the plants in afternoon shade, as most types of astilbe won’t tolerate intense sun. Check the container often and water potted astilbe plants whenever the top one inch (2.5 cm.) of soil feels dry to the touch – which may be daily during the heat of summer. Be sure the pot drains well and never allow the soil to remain soggy. Potted astilbe plants benefit from application of a water-soluble fertilizer twice monthly, beginning with the appearance of new growth in spring and ending when the plant goes dormant in autumn. Divide container grown astilbe every three to four years.

Astilbe is an outstanding shade perennial with tons of charm from its lacy foliage to its fuzzy flower heads. Astilbes are planted from roots that sprout out of eyes, much like a potato. Since they grow from these root structures, it is easy to divide and propagate these plants. Division is the fastest of the astilbe propagation methods and will result in plants the following season. You can try growing seeds, but dividing astilbe is a more stable and faster method for producing plants. Knowing how to propagate astilbe is easy and adds more of these enchanting plants to your garden.

How to Propagate Astilbe with Seed

Astilbe grows from rhizomes, which produce the shoots and blooms of this lively shade plant. You may also choose to grow astilbe from seed, but the results are variable, blooms take many seasons to produce, and the plants tend to be short-lived. For faster plants and bigger bloom displays, the best way of propagating astilbe plants is through division. It is an easy process, and the results are better parent plants and babies to dot around the shady areas of your landscape. Most plants start out as a seed but due to many variables, the results may not be true to the parent plant. Also, plants that are derived from rhizomes, corms, or bulbs need many seasons to mature fully and produce flowers. This is why most gardeners choose to start such plants from purchased bulbs or rhizomes. Such starts cut the time in half or more for mature plants. Astilbe seed is available, or you can save your own. This is one of the less reliable astilbe propagation methods and the size and vigor of the resulting plants may not match that of the parent. Still, if you have free seeds, start them indoors in flats and see what the outcome will be. After all danger of frost has passed, transplant the seedlings to a protected, partially shady area of the garden in well-amended soil that is loose, nutrient-rich, and well-draining.

Dividing Astilbe Plants

Astilbe plant propagation is quickest and easiest by separating rhizomes and planting them separately. Adult plants perform better if divided every three to four years. Propagating astilbe plants through division is best done in late fall or very early spring when plants have died back or before they have sprouted. Mark the area in the garden for spring division so you can find the exact location of the rhizomes. Dig around the edges of the astilbe plant to prevent damaging the rhizomes for a better chance of getting healthy new rhizomes. Gently unearth the rhizomes and pull them away from the main body of the root structure. Choose healthy, undamaged rhizomes. Prepare the bed carefully by digging at least 6 inches (15 cm.) deep and adding compost, leaf litter, or another soil amendment. Consider the lighting of the new location. Astilbes prefer shade to partial shade and will burn in full sunlight.

Care of Newly Divided Astilbe Rhizomes

Good cultivation and care are the keys to successful astilbe plant propagation. Plant the divisions at the same depth in which they were harvested. Space rhizomes 16 to 30 inches (41-76 cm.) apart and pack the soil firmly around the new plants. Use a fertilizer with a high phosphorus and potassium number as compared to nitrogen. Keep the new plants moderately moist but not soggy. During summer, supplement moisture during dry periods. It is a good idea to use an organic layer of mulch around the planting zone to prevent weeds, conserve moisture, and enrich the soil. Keep an area around sprouts free of mulch to prevent rot and allow tender shoots to easily break free. You may see flowers in the first year or just the lacy, delicate foliage. By year two, the plumes will form, and mature, good-sized plants will be produced. Astilbe plant propagation from the rhizomes is quick and easy and you can even save the fall harvested rhizomes in well-draining containers indoors over winter for spring planting.

There are many types of astilbe from which to choose. Noted for their finely dissected foliage and airy plumes, these shade lovers brighten any dark area of the garden and are notably easy to grow and cultivate. Among the many astilbe plant varieties are those with flowers of red, white, pink, or lavender, but also different tones of foliar color. Peruse any plant catalogue and you will find astilbe varieties for almost any taste. Pay attention to the planting zone, as some astilbe plants are hardier than others.

Choosing Your Astilbe Varieties

I have a deep affection for astilbes. They provide me with a nearly foolproof solution for the shady and low-light areas of my garden. As an added bonus, there are many astilbe plant varieties from which to choose. Foliage hues range from bronze to deep green and even reddish tones. The size and hardiness of some of the cultivars are also broad enough to suit most gardeners' needs. If you want plants in containers, the dwarf specimens might be the right fit. Also, smaller planting spaces and borders benefit from the 1 to 2 foot (31-61 cm.) diminutive varieties. A truly compelling garden of feathery foliage and tall plumes results from the use of the larger specimens. Remember that the plants need some horizontal space for the delicate foliage. Provide at least 16 inches (41 cm.) between rhizomes at planting. Most astilbe plants are hardy in United States Department of Agriculture zones 4 to 9, but a few are only hardy in zones 5 to 8. Northern gardeners will need to pay attention to the zone in order to ensure plants can withstand their cold periods.

Dwarf Varieties of Astilbe

The smaller varieties of astilbe make elegant borders when massed along the edges of your garden beds. Most of these achieve 1.5 to 2 feet (46-61 cm.) in height with a similar spread. 'Sprite' is an award-winning dwarf that tops out at 10 inches (25 cm.) and is a charming, vigorous, pink variety with bronze foliage. The dwarf family of astilbe, or chinensis, seems to have more drought tolerance than full-sized forms. Some cultivars to try for smaller areas or low-profile plants might be 'Visions,' ' Pumila,' or 'Hennie Graafland.' 'Pumila is on the smaller side at 12 inches (31 cm.) with lovely purple flower spikes. If you want dark mauve blooms, 'Pumila' will deliver, while 'Hennie Graafland' is on the edge of the dwarf category, producing 16 inch (41 cm.) tall, bright pink blooms and deep green leaves. Other forms for the smaller perennial bed might be 'Irrlicht' or the violet-pink 'Gloria Purpurea.' These smaller forms of astilbe are useful where shorter plants are desired but still have all the endearing qualities of the full-sized specimens.

Types of Astilbe for Maximum Impact

The larger types of astilbe provide real punch in the perennial shade garden. Some of the tallest cultivars available are nearly 5 feet (1.5 m.) tall at maturity. 'Purple Blaze' and 'Purple Candles' are two of these towering specimens, which are widely available and have deep purple to violet-pink blooms. Slightly shorter but no less impactful forms range from 2 to 3 feet (0.5 to 1 m.) in height. These are the most common cultivars with flower colors of intense red, salmon, rose, lilac, and even white.

• A classic white form is 'Snowdrift,' with pure white blooms from June to July on 2 foot (61 cm.) tall stems. If you want a slightly taller white bloomer, try 'White Glory,' a plant that may achieve 3 feet (1 m.) in height, or 'Bridal Veil' with its striking bronze leaves.
• Peach to salmon tones are found in 'Bressingham Beauty,' 'Peach Blossom,' 'Anite Pfeifer,' and 'Grete Pungel.'
• The classic pink tones show well with either green or bronze foliage and are probably the most commonly found of the different kinds of astilbe. There are many types readily available at your local nursery.
• Purple and red forms are a bit harder to find, but 'Granat,' 'Glow,' and 'Spartan' are good deep red choices with excellent hardiness. More unusual still are the purple to lavender cultivars. Look for 'Hyacinth' or 'Mars' at your garden centers.

Every year new forms are introduced. Have some fun perusing the different varieties and decorate your landscape with these easy-to-grow plants with oodles of charm.

We get questions from our flower-gardening friends about astilbe care. The bright, plume-like flowers of astilbe are a pretty addition to a home garden or landscape. Thriving in shade, astilbes produce large clusters of showy flowers in white and varying hues of pink. When they’re established, these plants are quite robust. If you’re in charge of astilbe plant care in your garden, you will seldom see problems with insects or diseases. Learn more about how to grow astilbe plants to ensure your astilbes will thrive for many seasons to come.

Quick Facts:

• Botanical name: Astilbe
• Height: 1-6 ft. (0.3-1.8 m)
• Spread: 12-24 in. (30-61 cm)
• Sun exposure: Part shade
• Soil requirements: Neutral, slightly acidic
• Hardiness zones: USDA Zones 4-9
• When to plant: Spring, fall

Caring for Astilbe

Its fluffy plumes and frilly foliage make astilbe a plant worth including in your garden beds or yard. Here are some tips on how to grow and care for astilbe plants.

• Lighting Conditions Astilbe plant care begins first at planting time. Carefully consider its need for light: Most astilbe species grow best where they can be shaded throughout the day. This makes them perfect for planting near the base of trees or in beds that are near structures, like houses or fences. Astilbe can be grown in full sun locations, keeping in mind the plant’s need for water.
• Watering Needs Watering is a critical aspect of astilbe care. The plants flourish in beds that remain consistently moist throughout the growing season. Plan to water them routinely to help maintain moisture levels. At least, water astilbe beds deeply once each week. Watering from below is best, allowing deep saturation of each plant’s root zone.
• Temperature & Humidity Astilbes are known for their tolerance to cold, perennializing well in even the harshest of climates. Cool growing conditions through the summer also contribute to the health of these plants. Astilbes grown in hotter regions may require more shade during the warmest parts of the day as well as some supplemental irrigation in order to grow their best.
• Best Fertilizing Astilbe plants are heavy feeders and require a rich, fertile soil in order to thrive. Finished compost and other amendments can be added to the soil at planting time as needed. Fertilizer can also be used throughout the growing season. Well-balanced feeds are most commonly applied in early spring boost blooms. Nitrogen fertilizers applied after flowering can help to rejuvenate the astilbe’s foliage and promote its growth.
• Soil & Compost Though they appreciate consistent moisture, you should make certain that your garden soil drains well. This will help to prevent rot as well as aid in the plant’s survival through winter. A fertile growing medium amended with compost is vital for astilbe and will play a key role in its production of flowers in early summer.
• Problems, Pests & Diseases When learning how to grow astilbe, it is important to consider possible problems that may affect the plant. Though the plants are generally hardy, disease can become an issue if conditions are less than ideal. Wilt, leaf spot, and powdery mildew are common to astilbe. Fortunately, most instances of disease can be prevented through good garden sanitation and using proper irrigation techniques. Monitor your plants throughout the season for pests, with weevils and grubs being the biggest concern.

When and How to Plant Astilbe

Astilbe can be successfully planted in both spring and fall. Most gardeners find planting bare roots to be easiest, with growth of the flowers beginning quickly in spring.

Planting astilbe seeds is also an option, though they do require some special care. A brief period of cold stratification, roughly 4 weeks, may increase their germination rates. Seeds can then be placed into trays filled with a sterile, soilless potting mix. The ideal temperatures for germination range between 65-70 F (18-20 C), with seeds beginning to grow over the span of approximately 5 weeks.

Astilbe Deadheading & Pruning

Deadheading astilbe plants is beneficial to their overall health, but will not encourage them to produce new blooms. Removing spent flowers helps keep plants tidy, prevents them from self-seeding and can divert gathered energy back to the plant.

Astilbe does not require pruning, aside from removing any stems that have died back or are damaged during the growing season. As an herbaceous perennial, routine trimming may be needed in fall after all the plant’s foliage has naturally died back to the ground. At this time, all decaying matter should be removed and disposed of safely from the garden.

How to Propagate Astilbe

Astilbes are best propagated through the process of division. Divide the plants once every 3-5 years. Established astilbe plants benefit greatly from the division process, reducing crowding within beds and helping to revitalize plants. Divide these plants in early spring, just as new growth has started to emerge from the soil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Astilbe Bloom All Summer Long?

Astilbe are loved for their long bloom period. You can expect these flowers to grace your garden from early to late summer. You can extend the blooming periods by planting a wide range of cultivars within your garden beds, each with different bloom periods.

Where do Astilbe Plants Grow Best?

Astilbe grows best under part-shade conditions. Though the plants will benefit from consistent moisture throughout the season, good soil drainage is essential. For the best flower production, planting sites should contain rich, fertile loam that is slightly acidic.

Will Astilbe Come Back Every Year?

Astilbe is hardy to USDA zones 4-9. Within these regions, the plant should return seasonally with only minimal care.