Astilbe Varieties: 19 Show-Stopping Picks For Shade Gardens
Feathery plumes and vibrant hues transform dim corners into lively summer showcases.
19 Astilbe Varieties for Show-Stopping Shade Gardens
Astilbes are essential perennials for anyone seeking to bring vibrant color and texture to shady corners of the garden. With their exquisite, feather-like plumes and delicate, ferny foliage, astilbe varieties provide a long season of visual interest throughout the summer months. This detailed guide introduces 19 different astilbe varieties, highlighting their unique traits, bloom times, and best uses.
Understanding Astilbe: The Garden’s Shade-Loving Gem
Astilbe (commonly called False Spirea) belongs to the Saxifragaceae family and boasts more than 25 species and countless hybrids.
Native to woodland edges in Asia and North America, these perennials thrive in moist, well-draining soil and partial to full shade. Their signature trait: feathery plumesâoften pink, red, purple, or whiteâheld above neat, lacy foliage. Astilbes also attract pollinators, rarely suffer from pests or diseases, and return reliably year after year, making them a favorite in shade gardens, borders, and alongside water features.
- Height: Ranges from compact 10â types to towering 4â cultivars
- Bloom time: Early to late summer, depending on variety
- Colors: From the softest whites and pinks to fiery reds and cool purples
- Foliage: Finely cut, often with reddish, bronze, or shiny dark green tints
- Zones: Hardy in USDA Zones 3-9 (varies by type)
1. Fanal: A True Scarlet Star
| Botanical Name | Astilbe x arendsii âFanalâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Deep scarlet red |
| Height/Width | 24â tall x 18â wide |
| Bloom Period | Early to midsummer |
âFanalâ brings intense, narrow spires of rich red flowers to shaded borders. Its dark green foliage often takes on a rosy tinge as the season progresses. Use this variety in large drifts for maximum impactâperfect as a dramatic mass planting.
2. Ostrich Plume (Straussenfeder): Cascading Apricot-Pink Elegance
| Botanical Name | Astilbe x thunbergii âStraussenfederâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Apricot pink |
| Height/Width | 36â tall x 24â wide |
| Bloom Period | Midsummer |
âOstrich Plumeâ is notable for its unique flower form: long, pendulous plumes arching gracefully instead of standing upright. These soft, apricot-pink blooms are perfect for the back of borders, creating vertical interest and a lush, layered look.
3. Bridal Veil: Pristine White for Classic Shade Gardens
| Botanical Name | Astilbe x arendsii âBridal Veilâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | White |
| Height/Width | 30â tall x 18â wide |
| Bloom Period | Early to midsummer |
With pure white plumes and bright green, lacy foliage, âBridal Veilâ introduces a calm, elegant presence to shade plantings. Its white spikes brighten dark spots and serve as a pleasing contrast to deeper-colored astilbes or bold-leaved hostas.
4. Vision in Red: Dark Drama and Reliable Bloom
| Botanical Name | Astilbe chinensis âVision in Redâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Reddish purple |
| Height/Width | 18â tall x 18â wide |
| Bloom Period | Late summer |
âVision in Redâ produces deep reddish-purple plumes contrasted by bronze-green foliage. This compact, drought-tolerant selection is ideal for front-of-border groupings or containers in shadier spots.
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5. Pumila: Petite and Prolific Purple
| Botanical Name | Astilbe chinensis âPumilaâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Purple |
| Height/Width | 12â tall |
| Bloom Period | Late summer/early fall |
One of the best dwarf astilbe types, âPumilaâ offers vivid purple flower spikes atop sturdy, fine-leafed foliage. Itâs an excellent choice for edging and rock gardens, where full-sized astilbes would outgrow their space.
6. Hennie Graafland: Refined Pink with Polished Foliage
| Botanical Name | Astilbe x simplicifolia âHennie Graaflandâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Soft pink |
| Height/Width | 16â tall |
| Bloom Period | Early summer |
âHennie Graaflandâ is a tidy, compact astilbe with bright pink plumes above fresh green leaves. Its dwarf size makes it perfect for borders, containers, or tight spaces in shade gardens.
7. Maggie Daley: Vibrant Purple Clusters for Pollinators
| Botanical Name | Astilbe chinensis âMaggie Daleyâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Bright purple |
| Height/Width | 28â tall x 20â wide |
| Bloom Period | Mid-late summer |
âMaggie Daleyâ stands out with brilliant purple spikes, blooming later in the season and attracting butterflies. Ideal for adding late color to beds that may be winding down in midsummer.
8. Sister Theresa: Cotton Candy Clouds
| Botanical Name | Astilbe x arendsii âSister Theresaâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Light pink |
| Height/Width | 20-24â tall |
| Bloom Period | Early summer |
âSister Theresaâ produces soft, light-pink plumes reminiscent of cotton candy, along with rich green foliage. Its upright, neat habit makes it suitable for mixed borders and cottage gardens alike.
9. Gloria Purpurea: Showy Violet-Pink for Impact
| Botanical Name | Astilbe x arendsii âGloria Purpureaâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Violet-pink |
| Height | 24â |
Known for its dramatic, violet-pink inflorescences, âGloria Purpureaâ adds stature and bold color to shady areas. Its medium height bridges the gap between short and tall varieties in multi-tiered plantings.
10. Delft Lace: Apricot-Pink on Red Stems
| Botanical Name | Astilbe âDelft Laceâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Apricot-pink |
| Foliage | Glossy blue-green with red highlights |
âDelft Laceâ impresses with soft apricot-pink blooms atop deep red stems, plus handsome foliage that transitions to a burgundy glow in fall. Vigorous and colorful in borders or as an accent plant.
11. Purple Candles (Purpurkerze): Power and Height
| Botanical Name | Astilbe chinensis âPurple Candlesâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Dark violet-red |
| Height | Tall, back-of-border selection |
| Foliage | Dark green, may be bronzed |
With dense, tall spires of violet-red flowers, âPurple Candlesâ is ideal for the back of the border or as a shade garden focal point. Plants are robust and offer better heat tolerance than many other astilbes.
12. Sprite: Dwarf Pink for Edges
| Botanical Name | Astilbe simplicifolia âSpriteâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Soft pink |
| Height | 10â |
âSpriteâ excels as an edging plant with shimmering pink flowers and elegant bronze foliage. Its compact height makes it one of the most adored dwarf astilbes for front-of-border ribbons or rock gardens.
13. Visions in Pink: Reliable Mid-Sized Pink
| Botanical Name | Astilbe chinensis âVisions in Pinkâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Light pink |
| Height | 14-16â |
Offering dense, luminous plumes of pink, âVisions in Pinkâ is a popular choice for both mixed beds and massed plantings. Tough and drought-resistant compared to older types.
14. Email Lace: Lacy Charm and Textural Interest
| Botanical Name | Astilbe x arendsii âEmail Laceâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Pale pink |
| Height | 24â |
âEmail Laceâ presents delicate, pale-pink plumes on finely cut, deep green foliage. It shines when allowed to naturalize in semi-shaded woodland gardens or as a cottage border anchor.
15. Montgomery: Dark-Red Drama
| Botanical Name | Astilbe japonica âMontgomeryâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Deep red |
| Height | 20-24â |
âMontgomeryâ carries dense, deep-red plumes over robust, dark bronze-green leaves. An old favorite for strong color contrast in partly shaded gardens.
16. Superba: Tall, Late-Blooming Lavender Magenta
| Botanical Name | Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii âSuperbaâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Lavender-magenta |
| Height | 36â48â |
| Bloom Period | Late summer |
One of the tallest astilbes, âSuperbaâ adds late-season, upright lavender-magenta color and structure. Perfect for the backs of borders and for extending the bloom season.
17. Erica: Soft Pink Like Morning Clouds
| Botanical Name | Astilbe japonica âEricaâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Soft pink |
| Height | 18â24â |
âEricaâ delights with gentle pink plumes that soften the look of mixed plantings and provide a romantic touch near streams or under trees.
18. Diamond: Sparkling Ivory for Moonlit Borders
| Botanical Name | Astilbe x arendsii âDiamondâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Ivory white |
| Height | 24-30â |
With shining ivory blooms held aloft on sturdy stems, âDiamondâ illuminates dusk shaded beds and highlights darker-leaved companions.
19. Rheinland: Rose-Pink Mid-Summer Mainstay
| Botanical Name | Astilbe x arendsii âRheinlandâ |
|---|---|
| Bloom Color | Rose-pink |
| Height | 24â |
âRheinlandâ produces upright, fluffy rose-pink plumes that bloom prolifically in mid-summer atop attractive green foliage, making it a staple for brightening up shady beds.
Tips for Planting and Caring for Astilbe
- Light: Best in part to full shade; morning sun is tolerated if soils are moist.
- Soil: Rich, humusy, consistently moist, but well-drained.
- Watering: Essential during hot, dry weather, especially for new plantings or in sun.
- Spacing: 12â24â apart, depending on mature size.
- Fertilizing: Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in spring.
- Mulching: Mulch in late spring to reduce weeds and retain moisture.
- Dividing: Every 3â5 years as clumps expand and flower production wanes.
How to Use Astilbe in the Landscape
- Mixed borders and woodland gardens: Pair with hostas, ferns, bleeding hearts, Japanese forest grass, and heucheras for textured shade displays.
- Moist, shady spots: Plant near streams or ponds; astilbes love consistently moist sites.
- Mass plantings and drifts: Achieve dramatic color impact by grouping the same variety in ribbons or clusters.
- Containers: Compact varieties like âSpriteâ and âPumilaâ excel in pots for shaded patios.
Dwarf Astilbe Varieties
- Sprite â Tidy 10″ pink for the front of borders
- Pumila â 12″ purple dwarf ideal for edges
- Visions and Hennie Graafland â Compact, brightly colored options for small gardens
- Gloria Purpurea â Violet-pink flowers with a moderate height
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Astilbe
Q: What is the best time to plant astilbe?
A: Plant astilbes in early spring or fall, allowing roots to establish in cool, moist soil before summer heat.
Q: How do I keep my astilbe blooming each year?
A: Ensure soil remains moist, divide overcrowded clumps every few years, and feed with organic matter annually for best performance.
Q: Which astilbe varieties are best for sunny areas?
A: Astilbe chinensis varieties (e.g., âVision in Redâ, âSuperbaâ, âPumilaâ) are more sun and drought tolerant than most, but all astilbes require consistent moisture and shade during the hottest part of the day.
Q: Can astilbes be grown in containers?
A: Yes, especially dwarf and compact types like âSpriteâ or âPumilaâ. Containers must be kept consistently moist and shaded.
Q: Are astilbe plants poisonous to pets?
A: No, astilbe is non-toxic to cats and dogs, according to the ASPCA.
Choosing the Best Astilbe for Your Garden
With such a rich palette of heights and hues, there’s an astilbe variety for almost every shaded or moist garden site. Consider bloom time, mature size, and flower color, and combine different varieties to extend the show all summer long. Astilbe’s resilience, beauty, and ability to enliven dark corners make it an indispensable shade perennial for new and experienced gardeners alike.
References
- https://www.finegardening.com/article/12-brilliant-astilbes
- https://plantdetectives.com/pages/the-astilbe-guide
- https://www.epicgardening.com/astilbe-varieties/
- https://gardenerspath.com/plants/flowers/best-astilbe-varieties/
- https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/astilbe/types-of-astilbe.htm
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