Sometimes called “false spirea” or “goat’s beard,” Astilbe is a genus of 25 different species of herbaceous flowering perennials with showy rich dark foliage and blooms that are rightfully called “plumes,” eluding to the fluffy tailfeathers of the peacock.
Colors range from white, to pink, to red, to purple.
The plant originates from a rhizome root system, like that of irises, that spreads generously and benefits greatly from division. The sprouts that grow off these rhizomes originate out of eyes on the root, exactly like potatoes! The plant will grow from seed, but it is usually propagated by dividing the roots.
It is native to the woodlands and ravines of China, Japan, and Korea. These woodlands and ravines usually have just enough sun to accommodate these shade-loving herbaceous perennials.
A single plant blooms for a duration of two to three weeks anywhere from early spring to late summer. With careful species and cultivar selection and with some planning, you could have your garden beds full of plumes for two to three entire months. Early bloomers start in May or June while later bloomers pop their flowers out in July or August.
If you are new to Astilbe, be sure to start with our comprehensive growing guide.
If the feathery, spiked blossoms of astilbe plants adorn your gardens in late summer, you need to know how to prepare them for a good winter’s sleep. While they are cold-hardy, they benefit from a little TLC to ensure that they return each spring with vigor. Learn how to winterize your astilbe plants in this guide.
Do you have a backyard garden that has a great shady spot but you’re not sure what to fill it with? Meet the astilbe. Take a single plant, and with a little patience, you can propagate that parent into a family of transplants that will transform your shaded location into a colorful perennial oasis. Read more now.
Looking for a nice accompaniment to hosta, fern, and heuchera? The shade garden has become my favorite corner of the yard, thanks to the patch of astilbe I’ve started. With bronze-green foliage, the real show comes when it blooms, with large plumes of creamy whites and pinks. Read more now on Gardener’s Path.