Melinda Myers

Astilbe

Botanical Name

Astilbe

Hardiness

Zones 3 to 8

Height

12 to 48 inches

Width

12 to 24 inches

Flowers

Early to late summer: white, pink, salmon, red, lavender

Light

Full to part shade

Soil

Moist, organic, well-drained

Planting & Care

• Slow to establish
• Space smaller varieties 12 to 15 inches apart and larger varieties 24 inches apart
• Cut foliage back after late spring frost or drought
• Avoid wet feet in winter
• Leave foliage for winter protection
• Divide every 3 to 4 years
• Chinese astilbes (Astilbe chinensis) are drought tolerant and later blooming than the Arendsii hybrid astilbes (Astilbe x arendsii)

Problems

None serious, mildew, wilt, Japanese beetle, black vine weevil

Varieties

• Astilbe x arendsii 'Beauty of Ernst' Color Flash^TM - Colorful foliage, more sun tolerant
• Astilbe chinensis 'Visions' - rhizomatous, slowly spreading, pink flower plumes