James H. Schutte
Family
Saxifragaceae
Botanical Name
ASTILBE 'Koblenz'( Japonica Group)
Plant Common Name
Hybrid Japanese Astilbe, Japanese False Spirea, Koblenz Astilbe
Special Notice
This entry has yet to be reviewed and approved by L2G editors.
General Description
Hybrid Japanese astilbes are desirable 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 some cultivars may bloom earlier. There are many cultivars that differ in height, flower density and color. Blooms come in shades of red, pink, rose or white and 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. This low maintenance perennial is well-suited to shady gardens and looks best when planted in groups or mixed with other perennials for shade like Japanese painted fern and hostas. Astilbes are often grown and harvested as cutflowers for the floral industry.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
8 - 2
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USDA Hardiness Zone
4 - 9
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Sunset Zone
1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16, 17
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
12"-30" / 30.5cm - 76.2cm (24)
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Width
1'-2' / 0.3m - 0.6m (2)
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
Hybrid Origin
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral
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Soil Drainage
Average
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Soil type
Loam
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Growth Rate
Medium
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Water Requirements
Average Water
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Habit
Clump-Forming
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
White, Red, Pink, Rose
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Fruit Color
Brown
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Dark Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Dark Green
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Fragrant Flowers
No
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
No
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Foliage Texture
Medium
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Foliage Sheen
Glossy
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Evergreen
No
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Showy Bark
No
Special Characteristics
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Usage
Bedding Plant, Cutflower, Edging, Groundcover, Mixed Border
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Sharp or Has Thorns
No
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Invasive
No
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Self-Sowing
No
