(Astilbe, Cattleya False Spirea, False Spirea)

Astilbe is a stunning herbaceous perennial with fuzzy plumes that appear in summer on slender stems, following the emergence of frondlike leaves that unfurl in spring. The cultivar 'Cattleya' produces large, plumes of rose-pink in midsummer and likely again in early fall. Dried flower-heads retain garden interest through winter.

Astilbes prefer a partial shade location and fertile, well-drained soil. If the chosen garden area's soil is dry, reloacte to more shade. Plant in groups in shady,...

(Hybrid Japanese Astilbe, Japanese False Spirea, Köln False Spirea)

Hybrid Japanese astilbes are striking herbaceous perennials for shade. In the spring, plants put forth clumps of feathery compound leaves of dark green. By early to midsummer beautiful, tall, feathery plumes appear. The cultivar 'Cologne' produces dense plumes of bright carmine-rose. Flowers turn brown after blooming, so it looks best to cut them back once they are spent.

Most astilbes prefer partial shade and fertile soil with average drainage but can tolerate sunnier sites if well irrigated....

(Astilbe, Country and Western False Spirea, False Spirea)

This astilbe, ‘Country and Western,’ is an herbaceous perennial grown for its feathery flowers that rise on thin stems from lush ferny foliage. The flower spikes that top the stems have a branching habit a bit like a Christmas tree, and are clothed by tiny, closely packed flowers that transform them into soft plumes. A member of the Music Series, ‘Country and Western' blooms with bright pink flowers in mid through late summer. Deadhead the plant after the first flush of flowers; you may be rewarded...

(Astilbe, Darwin's Dream Astilbe, False Spirea)

Mid-sized and free-flowering, astilbe ‘Darwin’s Dream’ is an herbaceous perennial grown for its tolerance of shade, dependable bloom, plush spikes of flowers, and dark, dense ferny foliage. It blooms in summer at the top of slender upright stems with spikes that have a branching habit a bit like a Christmas tree. Tiny, closely packed, light-pink flowers clothe the spikes, transforming them into soft, billowing plumes that wave in the breeze. One plant may produce several stems, making a cloud of...

(Astilbe, Delft Lace Astilbe, False Spirea)

Lustrous, deep green leaves make the contrasting backdrop for upright plumes of dark pink flowers on the Delft Lace astilbe. The patented cultivar 'Delft Lace' produces dark green leaves with a shiny, silvery cast, and becomes darker green to almost blushed with burgundy when grown in more direct sunlight. The flowers are fuzzy plumes of delicate peach-pink on dark salmon-pink stems. This cultivar originated from a controlled breeding program in Zuidwolde, The Netherlands in 1998, in an effort to...

(Deutschland False Spirea, Hybrid Japanese Astilbe, Japanese False Spirea)

Hybrid Japanese astilbes are striking herbaceous perennials for shade. In the spring, plants put forth clumps of feathery compound leaves of dark green. Typically their tall, feathery plume-like flower clusters appear in early to midsummer, but the cultivar 'Deutschland' produces white pyramidal plumes a little earlier than others. Flowers turn brown after blooming, so it looks best to cut them back once they are spent.

Most astilbe prefer partial shade and fertile soil with average drainage...

(Astilbe, Diamant Astilbe, False Spirea)

Mid-sized and free-flowering, astilbe ‘Darwin’s Dream’ is an herbaceous perennial grown for its tolerance of shade, dependable bloom, plush spikes of flowers, and dark, dense ferny foliage. It blooms in summer at the top of slender upright stems with spikes that have a branching habit a bit like a Christmas tree. Tiny, closely packed, white flowers clothe the spikes, transforming them into plush, billowing plumes that wave in the breeze. One plant may produce several stems, making a cloud of bloom...

(Astilbe, Drum and Bass Astilbe, False Spirea)

The free-flowering ‘Drum and Bass’ is a vigorous, compact hybrid Astilbe that produces big bright purple-red floral plumes in early to midsummer. This exceptional cultivar was bred in The Netherlands by Harry Verduin. Its ferny green leaves remain attractive through summer, and the spent blooms turn to brown when they set fruit. If left uncut, they will remain architectural and attractive through winter.

This easy to grow plant prefers partial shade and fertile, moist soil. If well-irrigated...

(Astilbe, Elizabeth Bloom Astilbe, False Spirea)

Mid-sized and free-flowering, the hybrid astilbe ‘Darwin’s Dream’ is an herbaceous perennial grown for its tolerance of shade, dependable bloom, plush spikes of flowers, and dark, dense ferny foliage. It blooms in summer at the top of slender upright stems with spikes that have a branching habit a bit like a Christmas tree. Tiny, closely packed, light pink flowers clothe the spikes, transforming them into plush, billowing plumes that wave in the breeze. One plant may produce several stems, making...

(Hybrid Japanese Astilbe, Japanese False Spirea)

The big, white, open plumes of ‘Ellie’ really stand out in the early summer landscape. They are highly attractive to bees and butterflies and play nicely against its ferny, glossy, dark green leaves. This clump forming perennial is quite hardy and spreads slowly by rhizomes. Its spent blooms turn to brown when they set fruit and will remain architectural and attractive through winter if left uncut.

This favorite easy to grow perennial prefers partial shade and fertile, moist soil. If well-irrigated...