Astilbe
Astilbe
False goatsbeard
- Position: light shade
- Soil: humus-rich, moist soil
- Flowering period: June to August
- Height: 40-90cm
- Foliage: deciduous
- Hardiness: fully hardy
Astilbe, commonly known as false goatsbeard, comes in shades that range from red, deep purple, pink to white. It’s a lovely perennial.
The leaves of astilbe are not evergreen. They die back in autumn, but new, fresh growth appears again in spring. So the plant comes back every year.
Varieties
Astilbe ‘Fanal’ ( x arendsii)
Astilbe ‘Fanal’ has attractive, dark stems with intense, deep red flowers, appearing above toothed, dark green foliage in early summer. This goatsbeard will reach a height of 60cm and a spread of 40cm.
Astilbe chinensis ‘Vision in Red’
Smaller at 45cm, Astilbe chinensis ‘Vision in Red’ bears deep red buds on wiry red-purple stems, maturing into striking pink flowers. The bright green foliage is attractive too.
Astilbe ‘Younique Ruby Red’
Astilbe ‘Younique ‘Ruby Red’ is a compact variety with large, upright ruby- red flower plumes, set off by lovely, green fern-like foliage. Astilbe ‘Ruby Red’ is part of the Younique Series.
Astilbe ‘Brautschleier ( x arendsii’)
Cooler schemes can be created with the pure white flowers of Astilbe ‘Brautschleier’ and Astilbe ‘Deutschland’.
Astilbe ‘Fanal’ ( x arendsii) Astilbe ‘Younique Ruby Red’
Pruning
When and how to prune Astilbe (False goatsbeard). Cut back the faded flowers plumes after flowering. Or leave the old flowers on as winter decoration.
Where to grow astilbes
Astilbes grow best in humus-rich, moist soil in partial shade but they will also thrive in a sunny spot as long as the soil doesn’t dry out.
Mulch will keep moisture in the soil. Apply a 5cm layer of garden compost or leaf mould around the base of the plant in spring.
Plant combination
Astilbes work well with other shade-tolerant plants such as Hosta, Brunnera macrophylla, Lirope muscari and Vinca minor.
Hosta ‘Patriot’
