Astilbe: Feathery Plumes for Shady Gardens and Bouquets

Astilbe is one of the few perennials that flower generously in shade. Its fluffy plumes in white, pink, red and lilac brighten beds under trees from June to August, and its finely cut foliage looks good all season. Florists like it too: fresh plumes add lightness to bouquets, and dried ones last for months. Here is how to plant astilbe, look after it and use it in arrangements.

What Is Astilbe

Astilbe is a genus of herbaceous perennials in the saxifrage family. In the wild it grows in damp woods and along streams in East Asia and North America. The plant forms a mound of finely divided leaves, above which flower stems rise from 15 to 150 cm depending on the variety. Each plume is made of hundreds of tiny flowers, which gives it a feathery look. After flowering the plumes turn brown but stay on, decorating the garden until winter.

Astilbe Species and Varieties

• Arendsii hybrids (A. × arendsii) — the most popular group, 60–100 cm tall, with plumes from white to deep red.
• Japanese astilbe (A. japonica) — compact plants with dense diamond-shaped plumes, early flowering.
• Chinese astilbe (A. chinensis) — more tolerant of dryness and sun; the dwarf Pumila is used as ground cover.
• Star astilbe (A. simplicifolia) — low, airy plants with nodding plumes, lovely in rock gardens.

Planting Astilbe

The best spot is part or dappled shade with moist, humus-rich soil. In full sun astilbe survives only with constant watering, otherwise the leaves scorch. Plant in spring or early autumn: fill the hole with compost, set the crown so the buds sit 3–4 cm below the surface and space plants 30–50 cm apart. Good companions are hostas, heuchera, ferns and other shade-loving flowers.

Care: Watering, Mulch, Feeding, Winter

• Watering. Astilbe hates drying out: in hot weather water twice a week or more.
• Mulch. 3–5 cm of bark or compost keeps moisture in and protects the crown, which rises above the soil over the years.
• Feeding. A balanced fertiliser in spring, a potassium-phosphorus feed after flowering.
• Winter. Most varieties are hardy; cover young plants with conifer branches in their first winter.
• Dividing. Every 4–5 years, lift and divide in spring to keep it flowering well.

Astilbe in Fresh and Dried Bouquets

For fresh bouquets cut plumes when about half the flowers are open and put them straight into water: astilbe wilts quickly without moisture, so it works best in foam arrangements or garden bouquets meant for a day or two. It is far longer-lasting when dried: cut the plumes at full bloom and hang them upside down in a dark, airy place. Dried astilbe keeps its shape and a muted colour — great with statice, bunny tails and wheat.

FAQ

Can astilbe grow in full sun?

Only with daily watering and mulch. It does best in part shade, where the leaves do not scorch.

When does astilbe bloom?

Depending on variety, from June to August; flowering lasts 3–5 weeks.

Should I cut astilbe back after flowering?

Not necessarily: the dry plumes look good in winter. Cut stems to the ground in spring.

How do I dry astilbe?

Cut plumes at full bloom and hang them upside down in a dark, dry place for 1–2 weeks.

Author: Maria Svitlovir

Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.

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