Astilbe

Gorgeous early-summer bloomers in a huge range of colors, with the upright form you see here or more arching, droopy ones. Best-looking when massed.

Native to parts of Asia.

 

Details

• Grows to 1-3' tall.
• Bloom early summer.
• In South, partial to full shade, though plants bloom less in shade and morning sun/afternoon shade is ideal. In the North, full sun is fine, with adequate moisture.
• Zones 4-9, surviving Zone 3 with protection.

Care

• Supposedly it's "hungry" and needs frequently feeding.  Mine bloom just fine without any. (Feeding can be just a topdressing of compost. One grower recommends applying lawn food, which is high in nitrogen, in October.)
• When its foliage becomes brown and crispy, just cut it all off and new foliage will appear.
• Moderately drought-tolerant, and mine get some supplemental watering in long drought periods.
• Whether to remove dead flowers is your own call aesthetically, but doing so won't produce a second set of blossoms.
• Mulch for moisture retention.
• Divide every 3-4 years in early spring or fall, throwing away the old, woody parts at the center of the plant.
• Dried seedheads look good into winter and can be used in dried arrangements, even spray-painted.
• Remove old blooms to the ground in early spring/later winter.

Good Information in Print

• The Well Tended Perennial Garden by Tracy DiSabato-Aust is the best-selling book on how to make your perennials healthier and better-looking.
• Encyclopedia of Perennials by Graham Rice is exhaustive and an outstanding general resource on the subject.
• The Complete Flower Gardener by Cutler and Ellis is another source I consult regularly.

 

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all content and photos are © Susan Harris unless specified otherwise