(Chinese Astilbe, Chinese False Spirea, Visions Chinese False Spirea)

The rosy raspberry plumes of this versatile Chinese false spirea are numerous, dense and colorful. In late spring to midsummer the flowers rise from dense, uniform clusters of glossy bronze-green, compound leaves. It is a tough and adaptable selection that’s more tolerant of full sun and drought than others.

Chinese in origin, this hardy perennial grows best when provided partial sun to shade and moist, rich, well-drained soil. Once established, it is low maintenance. The spent flowers can...

(Chinese Astilbe, Chinese False Spirea)

The plumes of this exquisite Astilbe are taller, more slender and conical that those of standard Chinese false spirea. This fine perennial originates from the woodlands of China, Siberia and Korea. Its large pretty plumes may be rose-purple or magenta and rise from neat clumps of distinctly crinkled leaves of deep green and/or bronze. The flowers appear from late spring to summer.

Like other Chinese astilbe, this hardy perennials grows best when provided partial sun to shade and moist,...

(Chinese Astilbe, False Spirea, Superb False Spirea)

A selection of the Chinese astilbe, ‘Superba’ is a bold herbaceous perennial grown for its unusually tall, narrow spikes of flowers and bronze green leaves. It blooms in early to mid summer, on upright stems that branch to tall, upright flower spikes, gathered together closely. Tightly packed, pink flowers clothe the spikes, transforming them into soft spires. One plant may produce several stems, making a cone of bloom above the leaves. The flower stems when in bloom are good for cutting. When bloom...

(Astilbe)

A spreading low-growing perennial from southeast Asia. False spirea has deeply cut shiny leaves and feathery plumes of white flowers in summer followed by rusty-brown seed pods that remain attractive into winter. This compact plant makes a nice ground cover in the shady garden or can be used as an edging or in the front of the border. It should be grown in moist, organic soils and will tolerate acidic conditions.

(Astilbe, Darwin's Snow Sprite, False Spirea)

Small and free-flowering, ‘Darwin’s Snow Sprite’ is a selection of an astilbe native to Japan. It is an herbaceous perennial grown for its tolerance of shade, dependable bloom, plush spikes of flowers, toothy leaves and diminutive size. It blooms in summer at the top of slender upright to nodding stems that have a branching habit a bit like a Christmas tree. Tiny, closely packed, pink flowers clothe the spikes, transforming them into plush plumes. One plant may produce several stems, making a wayward...

(Astilbe, False Spirea, Jacqueline False Spirea)

Small and free-flowering, ‘Jacqueline’ is a selection of an astilbe native to Japan. It is an herbaceous perennial grown for its tolerance of shade, dependable bloom, plush spikes of flowers, and dwarf mound of toothy leaves. It blooms in summer at the top of slender, upright to nodding stems that have airy branches a bit like a Christmas tree. Tiny, closely packed, pink flowers clothe the spikes, transforming them into plush plumes. One plant may produce several stems, making a wayward group of...

(Astilbe, White Wings Astilbe)

False spirea is a spreading low-growing perennial from southeast Asia. 'White Wings' has deeply cut shiny leaves and feathery plumes of white flowers in summer followed by rusty-brown seed pods that remain attractive into winter. This compact plant makes a nice ground cover in the shady garden or can be used as an edging or in the front of the border. False spirea should be grown in moist, organic soils and will tolerate acidic conditions.

(Burgundy Lace Painted Fern, Japanese Painted Fern)

Burgundy Lace Painted Fern, or Japanese Painted Fern, is a deciduous ground fern grown for its dense clumps of delicately divided fronds in varying shades of burgundy, purple, and metallic silver often flushed with pink. The fronds have a wide band of deep burgundy running down the center, and the outer edges are silver-burgundy. It is native to the forest floors of Japan, where it grows in moist, fertile soil. It spreads slowly by forming multiple crowns.

The Japanese Painted Fern requires...

(Japanese Painted Fern, Pewter Lace Painted Fern)

Pewter Lace Painted Fern, or Japanese Painted Fern, is a deciduous ground fern grown for its dense clumps of delicately divided metallic pewter fronds with a deep burgundy stem. The fronds are bluish-green closest to the stem and silver at the outer edges. It is native to the forest floors of Japan, where it grows in moist, fertile soil. It spreads slowly by forming multiple crowns.

The Japanese Painted Fern requires consistently moist acidic to neutral soil; enrich it with leaf mold or compost....

(Japanese Painted Fern, Silver Falls Japanese Painted Fern)

This selection of Japanese Painted Fern is a hardy, deciduous ground fern grown for its dense clumps of delicately divided silver fronds with a prominent dark-burgundy stem. The leaflets are grayish-blue closest to the stem and become more silver toward the outer edges. This fern is slower to emerge in spring than other painted ferns, and its silver color becomes more pronounced as the season progresses. It is descended from a native of forest floors in Japan, where it grows in moist, fertile soil....