(Astilbe, Perkeo Astilbe)

A hardy perennial worthy of incorporating into any small-scale or fairy garden design is the dwarf astilbe. Small rosy pink flowerheads and low-growing, crinkled green foliage make 'Perkeo' a particularly stunning small plant. This hybrid astilbe has origins in the early 20th century from efforts by Georg Arends of Ronsdorf, Germany.

Short mounds of dark green, twice divided, fern-like leaves grow from thick, brown rhizomes (lateral underground stems). The showy, pyramidal flowerheads appear...

(Rose Astilbe, Rose False Spirea)

Feathery pastel pink flowerheads and mounds of lush foliage make rose false spirea great in woodland and shade gardens throughout the temperate regions of the world. This species is the result of crossing the taller, white-flowering Astilbe japonica with the bronze-green leaved, red or pink flowering Astilbe chinensis. Both parents are native to the cool, humid forests of east Asia and are vigorous perennials that spread slowly to form dense clumps.

Graceful mounds of dark...

(Peach Blossom False Spirea, Rose Astilbe, Rose False Spirea)

Middle-sized and free-flowering, the hybrid astilbe ‘Peach Blossom’ is an herbaceous perennial grown for its tolerance of shade, dependable bloom, plush spikes of flowers, and toothy, uniform leaves. 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, peach pink flowers clothe the spikes, transforming them into plush, billowing plumes. One plant may produce several stems, making an airy cloud of bloom above...

(Astilboides, Shieldleaf Rodgersia)

Bring drama to a cool, shady woodland garden by planting the shieldleaf rodgersia, which captures attention with its large, jagged leaves and upright flower stems. A clump-forming herbaceous perennial, its native range is northeastern China and North Korea. Slow-growing, creeping rhizome roots eventually create a broad plant in the landscape.

Light green leaves emerge in spring, with softly hairy surfaces. Each blade rises on a long petiole stem that attaches in the blade center. The leaf is...

(Astrantia)

Masterwort clump-forming perennials that are native to alpine woods and meadows ranging from Eastern Europe to Western Asia. Masterwort have palmately lobed lower leaves with simple, sessile leaves on the stem. The umbel on masterwort consists of 5-petaled flowers, surrounded by colorful, showy bracts. Masterwort bloom in late spring throughout summer and require well-drained, consistently moist soil. Variants of A. major will tolerate drier conditions and A. major ‘Sunningdale Variegated’ is...

(Hadspen Blood Masterwort, Masterwort)

Masterwort 'Hadspen Blood' is a clump-forming perennial that has palmately lobed leaves and airy, dark red, small flowers held on thin dark red stems. It blooms in late spring throughout late summer and slowly darkens to a maroon.

Masterwort requires well-drained, consistently moist soil in full or partial sun.

(Astrantia, Great Masterwort)

Masterwort is a clump-forming perennial with palmately lobed lower leaves and simple leaves on the stem. Native to Central and Eastern Europe, it blooms in late spring and throughout mid-summer. The floral umbel consists of a creamy-white, pink, green, or occasionally deep purple-red center surrounded by petal-like pinkish or greenish bracts.

Masterwort requires well-drained, consistently moist soil. This species and its cultivars will tolerate drier conditions and are most often used as...

(Great Masterwort, Lars Masterwort)

Lars masterwort is a clump-forming perennial that has palmately lobed leaves and airy rosy pink, small flowers held on thin stems. The flowers darken in time to a burgundy or maroon. 'Lars' blooms in late spring throughout late summer and has a faint honey fragrance.

Masterwort requires well-drained, consistently moist soil in full or partial sun. The umbel and bracts consist of a dusky pinkish-red tint.

(Great Masterwort, Magnum Blush Masterwort)

Masterwort ‘Magnum Blush’ is an herbaceous, clump-forming perennial grown for larger, more numerous flowers. Masterworts are native to the alpine forest and meadows of Central and Eastern Europe. They have palmately lobed lower leaves with simple, stalk-less leaves on the stems. Masterwort blooms are unusual; they are produced on stalks above the foliage in dense, flat clusters surrounded by papery bracts (modified leaves) spring throughout mid-summer. The flowers are desirable for cutting and...

(Great Masterwort, Primadonna Masterwort)

Masterwort is a clump-forming perennial with palmately lobed lower leaves and simple leaves on the stem. Native to Central and Eastern Europe, it blooms in late spring and throughout mid-summer. The floral umbel consists of a creamy-white, pink, green, or occasionally deep purple-red center surrounded by petal-like pinkish or greenish bracts.

Masterwort requires well-drained, consistently moist soil. This species and its cultivars will tolerate drier conditions and are most often used as...