A plant I fancy: Astilbe

*Updated to ensure pictures are properly credited


'Red Sentinel'
Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder



Scientific name: Astilbe japonica, Astilbe chinensis, Astilbe thunbergii, others and hybrids

Common name(s): False spirea
Height x Width: 12-36" (though some ultra-dwarf varieties, like astilbe crispa 'lilliput' can be as short as 6-8")
Growth rate: Unknown
Hardiness: Zones 4-8
Soil: Can grow in average soil, but prefers moist organically rich soils
Light: Partial shade to full shade



'Rheinland'
Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder

 Reasons I like it:

• grows well in shade
• provides late spring/early summer color, right now it seems as if everything will be done blooming by early summer
• is drought tolerant once established
• fresh green fern-like foliage remains crisp all season and can act as a groundcover
• as leaves emerge in the spring, they can hide the dying foliage of daffodils and other spring bulbs

Where would I put it?

• In the backyard, in a damp spot that will become a rain garden or anywhere between the understory and the lawn
• I would put 'Rheinland' or 'Deutschland' in a bed with toad lily and a purple lobelia
• I would put 'Red Sentinel' in a bed with red lobelia and foamflower
• I would put either 'Sprite' or 'Lilliput' in a bed with hostas and annual impatiens

'Deutschland'
Courtesy Missouri Botanical Garden PlantFinder

Astilbe, or false spirea, seems to be a requirement for every shade garden.  I've tried to grow it before, but the spot was a little sunny and could have been too dry, so the plant didn't do much over the course of two years.  Everything I had read about woodland gardens recommends them, so I'm going to try again, even if they're not a native plant.

Have you tried astilbe?  What is your favorite variety?