Astilbe

Family - Saxifragaceae

Astilbe, commonly called False Spirea are great in the part shade to full shade. Their fern like foliage and plume flowers make them a wonderful summer perennial. Astilbe need moist rich humus soil away from the afternoon sun. Dividing them every 3 to 5 years will invigorate them. Maintenance is as simple as cutting them back in the late fall. Astilbe are hardy to Zone 4.

Flowering time is based on peak of blooms: June = Early, July = Mid-season, August = Late.

Astilbe 'Amethyst'

Height: 50cm.(20") foliage, 95cm.(3') flowers. Mid-season, Lavender with neon pink highlights. Long dense plumes. One of the boldest Astilbes. A. japonica x A. davidii. (G. Arends 1920's.)

Astilbe 'Aphrodite'

Height: 30cm.(1') foliage, 45cm.(18") flowers. Mid to late season. A simplicifolia type with bolder foliage than most in this group. Vibrant rosy red flowers that get noticed.

Astilbe biternata

Height 1.2M.(4 1/2') Space 1M.(4') Large, bold foliage quite distinctive. Relatively rare Astilbe. Has creamy white drooping flower panicles.

Astilbe 'Brautschleier'

(Bridal Veil) Height: 55cm.(22") foliage, 90cm.(3') flowers. Mid-season, large dusty white panicles, very open effect that resembles fine lace, gently drooping at the tips. The deep, glossy green foliage offsets the beautiful frothy flowers. A good cut flower. A. japonica x A. davidii. (G. Arends 1929.AGM)

Astilbe 'Bremen'

Height: 55cm.(22") foliage, 70cm.(30") flowers. Early, brilliant candy pink fading to mid pink, standard plume shape. Bold foliage, excellent companion with ferns and blue Hosta! A stand out for clear colouring! (Arends 1929)

Astilbe 'Bressingham Beauty'

Height: 50cm.(20") foliage, 1M.(4') flowers. Mid-season to late, dusty salmon rose dense slightly drooping panicle. The combination of bold foliage and large flower panicles will make this a classic with any large leaf Hosta!

Astilbe 'Bronze Queen'

Height: 55cm.(22") foliage, 1.3M.(4 1/2') flowers. Mid-season to late, rich pink, large open panicles. An Astilbe simplicifolia hybrid that is somewhat different, it is tall and wiry . The foliage emerges a metallic bronze fading to a bronze green in the summer.

Astilbe 'Bumalda'

Height: 40cm.(15") foliage, 80cm.(2 1/2') flowers. Early, starts pure white, blushing out to pale pink, open frothy panicles. Mahogany coloured foliage contrast the flowers beautifully. Very popular!

Astilbe 'Cattleya'

Height: 50cm (20") foliage, 1.2M. (4 1/4') flowers. Mid-season to late, bright orchid pink, large open panicles. One of the largest Astilbes. Impressive in flower arrangements or in the garden. The plant itself easily reaches 1 M (4') in width. (G. Arends, 1953)

Astilbe chinensis 'Pumila'

Height: 20cm. (9") foliage, 50cm.(! 1/2') flowers. Late, lavender, with neon pink, highlights fuzzy stiff panicles. One of the last to bloom, prefers damp rich humus soil, but may also tolerate dry rockery conditions in shade (but will obviously be much shorter in stature in such conditions). Popular! AGM

Astilbe crispa 'Perkeo'

Height: 15cm. (6") foliage, 25cm. (10") flowers. Mid-season to late. One of the few Astilbes suited for the rock garden. The foliage is tough almost artificial looking, held in a tight clump. Candy pink flowers held in stiff upright panicles. Use in a small garden with Mini Hosta. AGM

Astilbe 'Deutschland'

Height: 40cm. (18") foliage, 60cm.(2') flowers. Early to mid-season, purest white open lacy panicles. Glossy deep green foliage. Another Astilbe japonica selection by George Arend's in the 1920's.

Astilbe 'Diamant'

(Diamond) Height: 55cm. (22") foliage, 1M.(4') flowers. Early to mid-season, frosty white dense diamond shaped panicles. Deep glossy green foliage that in the spring is flushed bronze . Sturdy and a real showpiece in bloom. A. japonica x A. davidii hybrid. (G. Arends 1920)

Astilbe 'Dunkellachs'

Height: 20cm.(!0") foliage, 40cm.(!8") flowers. Mid-season, salmon pink in bud turning frosty pink when open, slightly drooping fluffy panicles. Another compact simplicifolia-type Astilbe useful for small gardens or frontal planting. Deep bronze green foliage that looks very dainty held by the mahogany wire-like stems.

Astilbe 'Elizabeth Bloom'

Height: 45cm. (18") foliage, 60cm.(2') flowers. Mid-season. Large dense powdery pink plumes produced in abundance. A New variety out of Bressingham Gardens in England.

Astilbe 'Erika'

Height: 60cm.(2') foliage, 1M. (4') flowers. Mid-Season, light heather pink, dense, upright panicles. Deep mahogany red stems throughout the plant including the flower stems, a wonderful contrast to the flowers. Foliage is also mahogany in color which slowly turns a deep green in late summer. Very bushy. A Favorite! (G. Arends 1960)

Astilbe 'Etna'

Height: 45cm. (18") foliage, 60cm. (2') flowers. Mid-season. Dense warm red flower spikes. Deep green glossy leaves. Use 'Etna' to add a little heat to an otherwise cool garden. (Ruys)

Astilbe 'Fanal'

Height: 30cm. (1') foliage, 45cm.(18") flowers. Early to mid-season, deep cerise red, narrow spikes. The foliage in the spring is mahogany in color, greening up in the summer. The most popular of all Astilbe. A. japonica x A. davidii hybrid. (G. Arends 1930.AGM)

Astilbe 'Federsee'

Height: 45cm. (18") foliage, 60cm.(2') flowers. Early. Large solid plumes of an old-fashioned dusty rose. The foliage is quite large and bold compared with most Astilbe. A show stopper as it is so floriferous and neat in habit. (Theobolt, 1939)

Astilbe 'Finale'

Height: 35cm. (13") foliage, 70cm. (2 1/4') flowers. Late, baby pink, dense diamond shaped panicles. Definitely the finale to the Astilbe bloom season, the latest Astilbe to bloom sometimes going right into September. Coarse textured foliage just smothered with flowering stalks! (Arends 1952.)

Astilbe glaberrima var. saxatilis

Height: l0cm. (5") foliage, 20cm. (10") flower. Late. Finely textured foliage that is deep glossy green in colour. Atop this compact , wiry little Astilbe are frothy pink flowers almost white in colour. Great for a shady rockery or mixed with small ferns and dwarf Hosta. AGM

Astilbe 'Gladstone'

Height: 30cm.(1') foliage, 50cm. (20") flowers. Early. One of the first Astilbe to bloom, pearly white flowers, small dainty flower plumes that look like lace. Nice frontal planting Astilbe as it does not get large.

Astilbe 'Gloria Purpurea'

Height: 50cm.(20") foliage, 80cm. (30") flowers. Mid-season, light lavender pink, very large dense plumes. Looks like an army of lavender pink fox tails when in bloom. Bronze foliage in spring turning green by summer. (Ruys 1921)

Astilbe 'Glut'

(Glow) Height: 45cm. (18") foliage, 70cm.(26") flowers. Mid-season. Brilliant red with rose highlights that almost glows as the name states. Open, airy plumes. Bronze foliage in spring turning to mid-green by summer. (G. Arends, 1952)

Astilbe 'Granaat'

Height: 50cm. (20") foliage, 1M. (4') flowers. Mid-season, two tone flowers starting off deep ruby rose going brilliant pink. Huge dense upright panicles. Deep glossy green bold foliage. A. japonica x A. davidii cross. (G. Arends 1920.)

Astilbe 'Henny Graafland'

Height: 25cm. (10") foliage, 60cm. (2') flowers. Mid-season, light pink, open slightly drooping panicles. A sister to 'Sprite' the only differences are the flower height (Henny is taller) and foliage colouring which tends to not be as dark as 'Sprite'.

Astilbe 'Hyacinth'

Height: 30cm.(1') foliage, 45cm. (18") flowers. Mid season. Rose pink with a hint of lavender, dense plumes. Brilliant and floriferous.

Astilbe 'Intermezzo'

Height: 35cm. (15") foliage, 50cm. (20") flowers. Late. One of the last Astilbe to bloom sometimes right into late August! Blush orchid pink flowers that are in an open plume over wonderfully textured foliage. Extremely floriferous. (G. Arends, 1957)

Astilbe 'Koln'

Height: 40cm.(16") foliage, 55cm. (22") flowers. Early, deep shocking pink, dense panicles. Compact and bushy plant makes it a great edger. (George Arends 1930)

Astilbe microphylla

Height: 45cm. (18") foliage, 1.5M. (5') flowers. Late. A rare species Astilbe , incredible in bloom. Elegant narrow soft pink flowers that are the tallest of any Astilbe. Very fine textured foliage unique to this plant (as per the name). Choice.

Astilbe 'Peach Blossom'

Height: 50cm.(20") foliage, 80cm. (30") flower. Early, light pink with a hint of peach. Wide panicles that seem to cover the entire plant, with an open and lacy effect. Bold glossy green foliage. A. chinensis x A. japonica cross. ( G. Arends 1904)

Astilbe 'Professor Van der Weilen'

Height: 50cm. (20") foliage, 1M. (4') flower. Late. Huge parchment white drooping panicles excellent as a backdrop plant or even focal point. Ideal water side plant that can compete with Ligularia, large Hosta and Rodgersia. Large coarse textured foliage.

Astilbe 'Purpurkerze'

(Purple Candle) Height: 60cm. (2') foliage, 1M. (4') flower. Late, rich violet softening as it ages, dense poker like flowers. A striking Astilbe quite unique, often listed under the incorrect name of 'Purple Cats'. Large bold foliage very similar to A. taquetti 'Superba' in habit and form.

Astilbe 'Queen of Holland'

Height: 45cm.(18") foliage, 70cm.(28") flowers. Early, creamy white flower panicles with mahogany red stems throughout the plant. A delightful contrast between the mahogany foliage and stems and the ivory coloured flowers. Dark glossy forest green foliage later in the season is a great accent to gold leaf plants.

Astilbe 'Red Sentinel'

Height: 40cm. (16") foliage, 60cm. (2') flowers. Deep forest green leaves with mahogany red stems complement the warm red flowers produced late in the season. Open lacy looking panicles. Stands out amongst the reds. (Den Ouden 1947)

Astilbe 'Rheinland'

Height: 30cm. (1') foliage, 65cm. (26") flowers. Mid-season, bright watermelon pink. Large luxuriant flower plumes and very bold foliage makes this one a perfect accent to any very bold leaf Hosta. An Astilbe japonica selection by G. Arends in 1920. AGM

Astilbe 'Serenade'

Height: 30cm. (1') foliage, 45cm.(18") flowers. Late. Deep rose pink flowers that like all A.chinensis hybrids are very late to bloom. Dense growth, fine textured foliage and very floriferous, this Astilbe has all the ideal characteristics for the small garden.

Astilbe simplex 'Rosea'

Height: 30cm.(1') foliage, 45cm.(18") flowers. Mid-season, light pink drooping open airy panicles. Fairly large textured foliage for this size plant a nice contrast to the dainty flowers.

Astilbe 'Snowdrift'

Height: 50cm. (20") foliage, 70cm.(26") flowers. Mid-season, pure white, wide feather like plumes. A Bressingham introduction selected for its very clean white flowers and bright grass green foliage.

Astilbe 'Sprite'

Height: 25cm. (10") foliage, 45cm.(18") flowers. Late, soft pink open drooping panicles. Perennial Plant of the Year for 1994. A very adaptable Astilbe, quite drought and sun tolerant. It also is an excellent size for the shrinking modern garden. The foliage is a deep almost black glossy green, in the spring the foliage has a bronze tint to it. Dense fine textured foliage and stiff wiry stems. A Bressingham Gardens introduction. AGM

Astilbe 'Straussenfeder'

(Ostrich Plume) Height: 50cm. (20") foliage, 80cm. (30") flowers. Mid-season, mid pink open drooping panicles. An altogether different flower form among Astilbe. Excellent near water features or use with Darmeria peltata. AGM

Astilbe taquetti 'Superba'

Height: 65cm.(25") foliage, 1.3M. (4 1/2') flowers. Mid-season to late, orchid pink with neon lavender hue, large dense plumes. A bold, late blooming Astilbe, suitable for perennial borders, bog gardens or anywhere you want an accent plant. Quite a vigorous plant growing quickly if it likes the soil conditions! Foliage is quite bold and stems are hairy making them interesting even without flowers. AGM

Astilbe 'Veronica Klose'

Height 60cm (2') in bloom, foliage 25cm (10"). Spread 40cm (15"). Neon-purple flowers with pink overlay are torch-like in shape. A real eye-catcher for late summer in the shade garden.

Astilbe

Family - Saxifragaceae

Astilbe simplex 'Rosea'

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