(Aromatic Aster)

Clouds of lavender-blue flowers cover this bushy, relatively compact aromatic aster from early to mid-autumn. This favorite cultivar was bred at Holbrook Farm Nursery, in Fletcher, North Carolina; an establishment that has since closed.

This North American native aster is among the best perennials for providing bold masses of late-season color. Lots of cool daisies with fine petals and yellow centers appear in late summer and fall on stout, many-branched stems. A single plant can have a dozen...

(Asteriscus, Gold Coin Mediterranean Beach Daisy, Mediterranean Beach Daisy)

This is an ideal dry-climate perennial. The parent species, Mediterranean Beach Daisy, is native to coastal bluffs of North Africa and the arid eastern Mediterranean where there is little rainfall but the maritime influence keeps the air moist. This makes ‘Gold Coin’ particularly suitable for water conservation in dry coastal regions. This low, spreading perennial produces dense clumps of gray-green leaves that are slightly fuzzy.

Through the midsummer when little is in bloom, ‘Gold Coin’ flowers...

(Astilbe)

The plants in the Astary Series share two traits: precocity and dependable flowering. These astilbes, started from seeds, produce seedling that, planted in the garden, bloom the first year. This series flowers in colors that range from pure white and pink to deep pink or rose. The plants are stocky and branching, with glossy, dark-green, ferny leaves. The flower spikes that top the stems have a branching habit and tiny, closely packed flowers that clothe the branches and stem, transforming them into...

(Astilbe)

Like the other cultivars in the Astary Series, this astilbe is precocious and reliable. Plants started from seeds flower in their first summer, making it possibly buy small plants and still see bloom in their first year. An herbaceous perennial, ‘Astary Rose’ is stocky and branching, with glossy, dark-green, ferny leaves. Flower stems rise above the leaves in summer, topped by flower spikes that looka bit like Christmas trees. Tiny, closely packed flowers clothe the spikes, transforming them into...

(Astilbe)

The plants in the Astary Series share two traits: precocity and dependable flowering. These astilbes, started from seeds, produce seedling that, planted in the garden, bloom the first year. This series flowers in colors that range from pure white and pink to deep pink or rose. The plants are stocky and branching, with glossy, dark-green, ferny leaves. The flower spikes that top the stems have a branching habit and tiny, closely packed flowers that clothe the branches and stem, transforming them into...

(Astilbe, Avalanche 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 'Avalanche' produces large long blooming plumes of white from early to late summer. Dried flower-heads retain garden interest through winter.

Plants prefer a partial shade location in moist, fertile, well-drained soil. This hybrid however, will tolerate dryer and sunnier locales. Plant in groups in shady, light...

(Bonn 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. By early to midsummer beautiful, tall, feathery plumes appear. The cultivar 'Bonn' is a vigorous selection that produces dense rose-pink plumes. 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...

(Bremen 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. By early to midsummer beautiful, tall, feathery plumes appear. The cultivar 'Bremen' is a compact selection that produces many dense rosy-pink plumes. 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...

(Astilbe, Bridal Veil Astilbe)

The beautiful white plumes of 'Bridal Veil' will light up the late spring garden. Asian in origin, this moderately tall clump-forming hybrid perennial is a popular plant for shaded borders.

In spring neat clumps of crisp green compound leaves appear. In late spring to midsummer they give rise to feathery plumes of clean white flowers. These are great for cutting and attract to bees and even butterflies.

False spirea will tolerate full sun to partial shade and must be grown in evenly moist,...

(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,...