These are the queens of the shady border with flowers that are borne in long lasting, feathery plumes in late spring and summer. The shiny, dark green foliage forms an attractive mound and is very decorative. Astilbes are heavy feeders and should be fertilized well in the spring. They prefer a rich, organic soil, moisture retentive in the summer but reasonably well drained in winter. I think that most failures with Astilbes are caused by not paying attention to the moisture requirement. They seem to do best in part shade because there is usually less moisture stress, but they will do fine in full sun if there is added moisture during dry periods. Conversely, they will not thrive in dry shade. The blooms are very long lasting and make great cut or dried flowers. They are attractive to butterflies.

Astilbe Hybrids – standard size (x arendsii, x hybrida, japonica) These are mostly hybrids, resulting from crosses of A. chinensis var. davidii with other species.  Many hybrids were introduced by Georg Arends of Germany who did extensive work with Astilbes early in the last century. Astilbes interbreed easily and there are literally hundreds of named cultivars to choose from. We think these are some of the best.

21980 Astilbe ‘Peach Blossom’
Sun-Part Shade / 24" / Zone4-8 / Spring Bloom / Quart Pots / Sold Out
Light pink with a peachy tone, early season bloom. At Ginter Gardens

21990 Astilbe ‘Rheinland’  Sold Out
Sun-Part Shade / 24" / Zone4 / Spring Bloom / Quart Pots / $8.95 ea.
The classic mid pink with large flowerheads, early season bloom.

21953 Astilbe ‘Cattleya’ Sold Out
Sun-Part Shade / 32-40" / Zone4 / Spring-Summer Bloom / Quart Pots /
Open pink flowers - tall and upright, mid season bloom.

21985 Astilbe ‘Purple Candles’   Sold Out
Sun-Part Shade / 42" / Zone4-8 / Summer Bloom / Quart Pots / $8.95 ea.
Very dense flowerheads, purplish-red, 42” tall, late season bloom.

21995 Astilbe ‘Snowdrift’  Sold Out
Sun-Part Shade / 22-26" / Zone4-8 / Spring Bloom / Quart Pots
Open, feathery white flowers, early-mid season bloom.

Astilbe Hybrids – dwarf size (chinensis, simplicifolia) These are smaller varieties, bred from Astilbe chinensis and Astilbe simplicifolia, great for the front of the border. They are generally later blooming.

21900 Astilbe chinensis ‘Pumila’
Sun-Part Shade / 10" / Zone4-8 / Summer Bloom / Quart Pots / Sold Out
Pink-mauve flower spikes. The foliage has a tight, spreading habit. The best variety for use as a groundcover. Late season bloom.

22010 Astilbe ’Visions’  Sold Out
Sun-Part Shade / 12-14" / Zone4-8 / Spring-Summer Bloom / Quart Pots /
A chinensis type with dense raspberry pink plumes. Mid to late season bloom.

21945 Astilbe ‘Hennie Graafland’  Sold Out
Sun-Part Shade / 16" / Zone4-8 / Spring-Summer Bloom / Quart Pots / $8.95 ea.
Airy pale-rose plumes. Finely serrated, shiny dark green foliage, mid to late season bloom.

21970 Astilbe ‘Fanal’   Sold Out
Sun-Part Shade / 24" / Zone4-8 / Spring Bloom / Quart Pots / $8.95 ea. 
Deep blood red flowers, early season bloom.

21960 Astilbe ‘Etna’   Sold Out
Sun-Part Shade / 20" / Zone4-8 / Spring Bloom / Quart Pots / $8.95 ea.
Dark red flowers, mid season bloom.