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.
-
8 Noteworthy Native Azaleas Every Gardener Should Know – And Grow!Native azaleas offer brilliant blooms in a range of colors and sizes. Here are a few favorites to get inspired and start working on a native shade garden!
-
Growing Climbing Roses: How To Create Elegant Displays With Maximum BloomsMaster the art of growing stunning climbing roses with this essential guide to creating vibrant, fragrant walls and structures all summer long.
-
Astilbe Is Turning Brown: Troubleshooting Brown AstilbesBrowning astilbe can certainly mar your garden. Find out here why your astilbe is turning brown and what you can do to prevent or fix it here.
-
Bloom Time For Astilbe Plants: When Does Astilbe BloomWhen does astilbe bloom? Astilbe plant bloom time is usually a phase of time between late spring and late summer depending on the cultivar. Learn more about the blooming of astilbe in this article to ensure more of these flowering plants in your garden.
-
Troubleshooting Astilbe Diseases: Overcoming Problems Growing Astilbe PlantsAstilbe plants are as tough as they are lovely. This doesn?t mean that they are completely pest free, however. For information on astilbe plant diseases, the following article will help. Click here to learn more.
-
Tips On Feeding Astilbe: Learn About Fertilizer For Astilbe PlantsAstilbe produces vibrant, beautiful fronds of flowers, bringing color to dark areas. But how can you make sure you're getting the most out of your astilbe blooms? Click this article to learn more about how to fertilize astilbe plants.
-
Astilbe Bare Roots – Learn About Bare Root Planting Of AstilbeAstilbe plants are usually propagated by root division in spring. Sometimes, however, they are sold bare root at that time. For more information about growing astilbe from bare roots, you should click on the following article.
-
Dividing Astilbe Plants: How To Transplant Astilbe In The GardenMost perennial plants can be divided and transplanted, and astilbe is no exception. You don't need to transplant or divide astilbe plants every year, but every two to four years. For more information on dividing astilbe plants, click this article.
-
Astilbe Won’t Bloom: Reasons For Astilbe Not BloomingAstilbe is one of America's most loved ornamental plants, and with good reason. This hardy perennial produces masses of blooms. It is generally a reliable bloomer, but if your astilbe won't bloom, there are several possible causes. This article will help.
-
Astilbe Companion Planting: Companion Plants For AstilbeAstilbe is a fantastic plant to have in your flower garden. But what else can go in those spaces with it? Click on this article to learn about astilbe companion planting and plants that grow well with astilbe.
