Astilbe
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FALSE SPIREA, MEADOW SWEET
Family: Saxifragaceae
Pronounced: as-TIL-bee
Rainy Side Notes
Astilbes are carefree plants to grow in the Pacific Northwest. A drift of this perennial in full bloom gives an airy feel to the border. The dried seed heads add winter interest if they are not pruned back during summer.
These perennials will not thrive if allowed to dry out; provide ample moisture and humus rich soil. Here in our maritime climate of the Pacific Northwest, you can grow astilbes in full sun. However, they will need even more moisture than when growing in afternoon shade areas. To maintain their vigor, divide the plants every three years. Butterflies, bees, and other pollinators are attracted to the flowers.
Astilbes are great as fresh cut flowers. Harvest flowers when 1/2 to 3/4 of the flowers are open. Check that the buds at the very top of the panicle show color. If harvested before this stage, the buds will not develop any further once cut. For dried flowers, harvest when all the flowers are open and only a few buds remain at the top of the panicle. Drying in an upright position is preferable.
Click on thumbnails at the bottom of the page to see individual cultivars of astilbes and their attributes.
GROWING GUIDE
Plant group:
Perennial.
Growth habit:
Clump-forming perennial.
Light:
Partial to open shade; in full sun, the plant needs more moisture.
Soil:
Moist, well-drained, humus rich, fertile soil.
Feeding:
Spread a mulch of compost or composted manure annually in the fall. Fertilize with a complete organic fertilizer in spring.
Propagation methods:
Divide plants every three years and discard woody centers.
Pruning methods:
None needed.
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Click on thumbnails to view astilbe cultivar, with attributes listed for each one. | ||
A. x arendsii 'Bressingham Beauty' |
A. x arendsii 'Fanal' | |
A. x japonica 'Peach Blossom' |
A. japonica 'Red Sentinal' | |
A. simplicifolia 'Pink Lightning' |
A. simplicifolia 'Hennie Graafland' | |
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Debra Teashon
Photographed in author's garden.