Susan is also blogging at GardenRant.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.
Location Matters
I grow astilbe in the Washington, D.C. area, Zone 7A. If you've grown it and have comments you'd like to see included here, send 'em along — and tell me where you garden.
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.