Jesse Saylor
Family
Saxifragaceae
Botanical Name
ASTILBE 'Pink Lightning' PP11963
Plant Common Name
Astilbe, False Spirea, Pink Lightning Astilbe
General Description
The vigorous and compact Astilbe ‘Pink Lightening’ offers huge, feathery, pale pink plumes in summer. This free-flowering cultivar was bred in The Netherlands by Wim van Veen.
The light airy pink plumes of Pink Lightening’ first appear in midsummer. 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. It is a vigorous hybrid with Astible simplicifolia in its parentage. 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 it will tolerate full sun. Divide its clumps every few years if they become crowded. This tall Astilbe is well-suited to shady gardens and looks best when planted in groups or mixed with other perennials. Plant it with other shade-loving perennials that offer floral and foliar interest later in the season. Its beautiful floral plumes are long-lasting when cut for garden fresh arrangements.
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
A2, A3, 1a, 1b, 2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 14, 15, 16
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Plant Type
Perennial
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Sun Exposure
Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
12"-18" / 30.5cm - 45.7cm
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Width
18"-24" / 45.7cm - 61.0cm
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Bloom Time
Summer, Late 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
Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Light Pink
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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, Brown
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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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
