(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.

(Astilbe)

Pale lilac blue flowerheads and low-growing, crinkled green foliage make the dwarf astilbe among the most cherished plants for woodland and shade gardens in temperate regions. This hybrid resulted 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 in summer above the leaves. Blooms are lilac to lavender-blue,...

(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...

(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...

(Branford Beauty Ladyfern)

Beautiful and lacy best describes the light gray-green foliage with silvery hues on the Branford Beauty ladyfern. A hybrid of Japanese painted fern and ladyfern, it was developed in Branford, Connecticut by Nick Nicou.

The pointed, triangular fronds have a reddish stem and is ornately lined with small, feathery leaflets (pinnae). Each pinna is light green but heavily masked in gray and silver tones, or green with noticeable flecks of gray-silver. It becomes a clumping plant, with the fronds held...

(Ghost Ladyfern, Ladyfern)

Ghost ladyfern is a hybrid cross between the Japanese painted fern and American ladyfern. It forms upright to arching clumps of broad silvery-gray to frosted apple-green fronds with dark purple midribs. This vigorous, deciduous fern grows a little taller than both its parents.

Overall, it prefers partial to full shade, but a little sun will bring out its silver color. Like most ferns, it thrives in fertile, evenly moist soil but can tolerate moderately dry soil once established. Plant in woodland...

(Ladyfern)

Ladyfern is a deciduous, terrestrial fern occurring throughout temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Vigorous, elegant and easy to grow, it was a great favorite in gardens of the Victorian era. Its tall, light green, upright to arching fronds are lined with narrow, pointed, finely divided leaflets which have a soft, airy appearance. The stems are typically green, but are sometimes tinted with red-brown. Numerous cultivars of this highly variable fern have been developed, including those...

(Crested Ladyfern, Dre's Dagger Ladyfern)

The tall, arching fronds of this eye-catching ladyfern cultivar are lined with long, very narrow, finely divided leaflets ending in small, branched crests, which cross over one another to form numerous “X” shapes. Perfect for shaded mixed borders, woodland gardens and containers, ‘Dre’s Dagger’ should planted where its distinctive foliage can be admired up close.

Ladyfern is a deciduous, terrestrial species occurring throughout temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. It thrives in full...