Astilbe's prefer partial to full shade ( tolerant of sun in cool climates ) on moist to wet soil. Astilbes respond well to fertilizer during early spring, right after blooming then with a high phosphorous application for the roots during early autumn.
Cutting off old faded flower spikes and the occasional tired looking leaf greatly improves appearance during the summer season.
Astilbes are not prone to insect pests or disease. They attract butterflies and are NOT eaten by deer. For vigor, they should be lifted and divided during autumn every 2 to 3 years.
They can be propagated by division during autumn, seed, or runners if produced.
Root cuttings are also used.
* photo taken on April 13 2010 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on annual Horticultural Society of Maryland Garden Tour
* photos taken on July 9 2015 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Jun 24 2015 in Columbia, MD
Astilbe x arendsii - See Astilbe x japonica
Astilbe biternata ( American Astilbe )
A handsome and stately perennial, reaching up to 7 x 5 feet, native to moist mountain woods in the eastern U.S. ( from central Kentucky to western Virginia; south to central Tennessee to northern Georgia to western North Carolina...also reported from western Maryland ).
The large leaves, up to 3 x 3 feet, are divided into many sharply-toothed leaflets. The foliage is deep green.
It bears drooping, creamy-white flower plumes all summer long.
Should be used much more in landscaping.
Hardy zones 4 to 8 in partial to full shade on fertile, acidic soil that does not dry out. It hates climates with consistantly hot summer nights and does not thrive in lowlands parts of the Deep South or Mid Atlantic. Slow to establish, it may take up to 3 years to bloom.
* photo taken on May 16 2011 in Washington, D.C.
Astilbe chinensis ( Chinese Astilbe )
A vigorous, rhizome-spreading, dense, compact, perennial, reaching a maximum size of 3.5 x 3.3 feet, that is native from Siberia to China, Mongolia, Korea and Japan.
The leaves are composed of coarsely-toothed leaflets, up to 3 x 2 inches.
The foliage is glossy deep green.
The rose-pink to purplish flowers are borne late summer into early autumn.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial to full shade on fertile, acidic soil that does not dry out.
* photos taken on May 3 2014 in Baltimore Co., MD
'Amber Moon'
Fast growing, reaching up to 2.5 x 2 feet in 4 years, eventuallly to 3.2 x 2.4 feet.
The foliage is bright greenish-yellow. The leaves are composed of leaflets that are up to 1.6 x 2 inches in size.
The rosy-pink flowers appear on an infloresence up to 16 x 5 inches in size, atop pinkish-red stems during mid-summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, it has good heat tolerance.
* photos taken on Oct 23 2023 in Burtonsville, MD
* patent photo
'Finale'
Reaches up to 2 x 1.5 feet ( foliage ht 14 inches ), with deep green foliage and very abundant, bright pink, diamond-shaped flower plumes during mid to late summer.
* photos taken on May 28 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 14 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 2 2022 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 3 2024 in Columbia, MD
'Intermezzo'
Reaches up to 2.5 x 2 feet ( foliage ht 15 inches ), with very profuse, salmon-pink, narrow flower plumes during mid to late summer. The foliage is very nicely textured.
'Pumila' ( Dwarf Chinese Astilbe )
A rhizome spreading, low growing perennial, reaching a maximum size of 2 x 5 ( rarely over 1 ) feet, with reddish-pink flower plumes, up to 12 inches in length, during mid to late summer.
The handsome, compound, deep green leaves have deeply cut leaflets. The foliage often develops a red tint on sunny sites.
It is a very attractive, rapidly spreading rhizomatous groundcover.
Easy to grow, it is more tolerant of drought and dry shade than most Astilbe but still prefers moist soil. Sun tolerant.
* photo taken on May 7 2014 @ London Town Gardens, Edgewater, MD
* photo taken on on Aug 1 2014 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 26 2015 @ Niagara Parks Bot. Gardens, Niagara Falls, ON
* photos taken on July 7 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 25 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on July 10 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 27 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 24 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 21 2021 in Columbia, MD
'Serenade'
Forms a dense clump, reaching up to 20 inches x 1.5 feet ( foliage ht 1 foot ), with very profuse, reddish-pink flower plumes during mid to late summer.
The foliage is fine textured.
'Veronica Klose'
Reaches up to 2 feet x 15 inches ( foliage ht 10 inches ), with intense pinkish-purple flower plumes during mid summer.
'Visions'
Stoloniferous spreading and compact in habit, reaching up to 2.7 x 3 feet, with bronze-green foliage and fragrant, intense purplish-red flower plumes during mid to late summer. The foliage forms a clump reaching up to 15 inches in height. Tolerant of sun and drought ( unlike most Astilbe ).
* photo taken on June 3 2024 in Columbia, MD
'Visions in Pink'
Strong growing, stoloniferous spreading and compact in habit, reaching up to 32 inches x 3 feet, with deeply-cut, blue-green foliage and fragrant, pale pink, fluffy flower plumes during mid to late summer. The foliage forms a clump reaching up to 15 inches in height.
Tolerant of sun and drought ( unlike most Astilbe ).
* photo taken on June 21 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 22 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 17 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 9 2024 in Columbia, MD
'Visions in Red'
Strong growing, stoloniferous spreading and compact in habit, reaching up to 32 inches x 2+ feet, with bronze-green foliage and fragrant, intense pinkish-red flower plumes during mid-summer. The flowers are deep red in bud, the stems are also deep red.
The foliage forms a clump reaching up to 15 inches in height.
Tolerant of sun and drought ( unlike most Astilbe ).
* photo taken on June 21 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 22 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 21 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 9 2024 in Columbia, MD
'Visions in White'
Strong growing, stoloniferous spreading and compact in habit, reaching up to 32 inches x 3 feet, with deeply-cut, deep-green ( tined bronze ) foliage and fragrant, pure white, fluffy flower plumes during mid to late summer. The foliage forms a clump reaching up to 15 inches in height. Tolerant of sun and drought ( unlike most Astilbe ).
* photo taken on June 21 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 8 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 9 2024 in Columbia, MD
Astilbe x crispa
A small perennial, reaching a maximum size of 1 x 1 foot.
Excellent for edging, front of borders and shady rock gardens.
The leaves are composed of deeply cut, crinkled, deep green leaflets.
The flowers are borne in inflorescences up to 6 inches in length, during mid to late summer.
Hardy zones 4 to 9 on average to moist, fertile, humus rich, well drained soil
'Gnome'
Rose-pink flowers.
'Lilliput'
Reaches up to 10 inches with deep green foliage and rose-pink flower plumes early to mid summer.
'Perkeo'
A dwarf form, reaching up to 10 x 16 inches ( foliage ht 6 inches ), with crinkled, deep bronze-green foliage and deep reddish-pink flower plumes during mid summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8.
Astilbe davidii
Considered by some to be a subspecies of Astilbe chinensis. A very large Astilbe, this stately perennial forms a vigorous, rhizome spreading clump, reaching a maximum size of 6.5 x 6 feet.
The leaves are composed of coarsely-toothed leaflets, up to 3 x 2 inches.
The foliage is deep green.
The rose-purple flowers are borne during mid summer.
Hardy zones 2 to 8 in partial shade on fertile, acidic soil that does not dry out.
Astilbe glaberrima ( Yakushima Astilbe )
A dwarf, compact Astilbe, forming a clump up to 2 feet x 20 inches ( foliage ht 10 inches ) in size, that is native to rocks along mountain streams in Yakushima Island in Japan. It is endangered in the wild. It is excellent for edging or the woodland rock garden with small Ferns and dwarf Hostas.
The very fine textured foliage is glossy deep green.
The pale pink flower are borne in short stemmed plumes, up to 10 inches in length, during mid to late summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial shade on average to moist, fertile, well drained soil.
'Saxatilis'
Miniature form reaching half the size of regular Astilbe glaberrima.
Astilbe grandis
Among the largest of all Astilbes, native to southwest China. This stately perennial forms a massive foliage clump up to 6 x 5 feet in height with flowers even taller.
Hardy zones 6 to 8
Astilbe japonica ( Japanese Astilbe )
Also called Astilbe x arendsii. These are the hybrid Astilbes with Astilbe japonica parentage. Regular Astilbe japonica, can form a clump, up to 2.5 x 3 feet, and is native to mountains in Japan.
The lacy, narrow leaves can reach as much as 20 inches in length, and are composed of toothed leaflets, up to 2.8 x 0.8 inches in size. The foliage is glossy deep green.
The white flowers are borne on upright pyramidal shaped inflorescences.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial to full shade on fertile, acidic soil that does not dry out.
'Amethyst'
Reaches up to 4 x 3 feet ( foliage ht 20 inches ), with bright pink flowers borne on long, dense, erect plumes during early to mid summer.
The foliage is luxuriant mid-green.
'Bremen'
Reaches up to 3 x 2 feet ( foliage ht 22 inches ), with deep pink flowers in early summer.
The bold bronzy-green foliage combines well with Ferns and large leaves Hostas.
'Bressingham Beauty'
Vigorous in habit, reaching up to 4 x 3 feet ( foliage ht 20 inches ), with bold bronze-green foliage and long lasting, bright pink flowers borne during mid-summer. It looks great with large leaves Hostas.
'Bridal Veil'
Reaches up to 3 x 3 feet ( foliage ht 2 feet ), with thick white flower sprays during late spring. The foliage is glossy deep green.
* photos taken on June 16 2015 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 5 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 15 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 17 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 19 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 9 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 13 2022 in Columbia, MD
'Cattleya'
Reaches up to 4.5 x 4 feet ( foliage ht 20 inches ), with reddish-pink flower borne on large, open panicles during early to mid summer. Often repeat blooms during autumn.
The foliage is reddish at first, turning to deep green.
'Chocolate Shogun'
A vigorous, upright perennial, reaching up to 3.3 x 2 ( rarely over 2 ) feet.
The stunning foliage is deep blackish-burgundy. The leaves, up to 12.2 x 12.2 inches in size, are composed of ovate or elliptical leaflets up to 3.6 x 2.2 inches in size.
The pinkish-white flowers appear in an inflorescences up to 18 x 12 inches in size, from early to mid summer. They provide excellent contrast with the foliage.
Hardy zones 4 to 8.
* photo taken on Apr 23 2017 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
* photo taken on May 27 2017 @ Meadowlark Botanical Gardens, Vienna, VA
* photos taken on Apr 21 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on Sep 3 2019 in Columbia, MD
'Dark Side of the Moon'
Forms a fast growing foliage clump, up to 1.3 x 2.8 feet in 3 years, eventually slightly wider.
The lesves are up to 14 x 10.5 inches in size. The leaflets are up to 7 x 7 inches in size. The foliage is often yellowish at first, turning to glossy blackish-burgundy.
The flower spikes are up to 3.2 feet in height.
Hardy zones 4 to 8, it is more heat and sun tolerant than most Astilbes
* photo taken on Apr 16 2023 in Elkridge, MD
* photos taken on May 14 2024 in Elkridge, MD
* photos taken on May 29 2024 in Elkridge, MD
* photo taken on July 10 2024 @ Brookside Gardens, Wheaton, MD
'Darwin's Margot'
Moderate growing, reaching up to 20 inches with dense, red flower plumes during early to mid summer.
'Delft Lace'
A moderate growing, upright perennial, reaching up to 3 x 3 feet, with light pink flowers and attractive, lacy folaige that is bronze at first, turning to glossy blue-green then finally to red during autumn. The blooms appear during early summer. It is an improved form of 'Peach Blossom'.
* photo taken on June 26 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 9 2024 in Elkridge, MD
* photo taken on June 2 2024 in Ellicott City, MD
'Deutschland'
Vigorous and compact, reaching up to 28 inches x 4 feet ( foliage ht 1.5 feet ), with creamy-white flowers borne on open, lacy panicles during late spring.
The foliage is glossy deep green.
Very tough and easy to grow.
* photo taken on June 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 1 2012 in Columbia, MD
'Diamond'
Reaches up to 4 x 2 feet ( foliage ht 22 inches ), with pure white, diamond-shaped flower spikes borne on sturdy stems during early to mid summer.
The foliage is bronze-green turning to glossy deep green.
'Elizabeth'
Reaches up to 2.5 feet, with showy deep red plumes during mid summer.
'Elizabeth Bloom'
Vigorous growing, Reaching up to 32 inches x 3 feet ( foliage ht 1.5 feet ) with glossy deep green foliage. The showy pure pink flowers are borne in profuse, large, dense plumes during early to mid summer.
'Ellie'
Reaches up to 2.8 feet, with glossy deep green foliage and very large, pure white flower plumes during early summer.
'Fanal'
Reaches up to 3 x 4 feet ( foliage ht 1 foot ), with foliage that is bronze-red in spring, turning to deep bronze-green.
The intense red flowers are borne in narrow spikes during early summer. Increases rapidly in width.
It requires abundant moisture and mulch during hot summer weather or its foliage will die back.
* photos taken on June 1 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 2012 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 20 2015 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 26 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 18 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 25 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 30 2021 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on May 29 2024 in Columbia, MD
'Federsee'
Forms a neat clump, up to 2 feet with bold deep green foliage ( foliage ht 1.5 feet )that is large for an Astilbe. The peach-rose flowers are borne on very abundant plumes. More tolerant of drought than most varieties.
'Fire'
Reaches up to 3.5 feet x 32 inches, with slender spikes of intense deep red flowers during early to mid summer.
'Flamingo'
Reaches up to 2.5 x 2 feet, with deep green foliage and arching deep pink flower plumes during early to mid summer.
'Gertrude Brix'
Reaches up to 2 x 2 feet, with deep red flowers plumes during early to mid summer
'Gloria'
Reaches up to 32 inches x 2 feet, with mid-green foliage and clear light red-pink flower plumes during early summer.
'Glow'
Reaches up to 3.5 x 2.2 feet, with intense red flowers borne in airy plumes during early summer.
The foliage is bronze during spring, turning to mid-green.
'Granat'
Reaches up to 4 x 3 feet ( foliage ht 20 inches ), with glowing, intense red flowers borne in huge, dense, upright plumes during early summer. The flowers fade to pink at the end of the season. The bold foliage is glossy, deep green.
'Grete Pungel'
Reaches up to 3.5 x 2 feet, with purplish foliage. The intense reddish-pink flowers are borne in large plumes during early to mid summer.
'Hyacinth'
Reaches up to 3.5 x 1.5 feet ( foliage ht 1 foot ), with very profuse, dense, pale-lilac flower plumes during early summer. The foliage is bright green.
'Irrlicht'
Reaches up to 28 inches, with pure white flowers borne during early summer.
The foliage is purplish-green.
'Kriemhilde'
Reaches up to 3 feet, with bronze-red young foliage and narrow conical, light pink flower plumes during early summer.
'Kwell'
Reaches up to 3 feet, with drooping, glossy red-tinted foliage and purplish-pink flower plumes during early summer.
'Lollipop'
Reaches up to 1.5 x 2 feet, with short, dense, light-pink flower plumes during early summer. The glossy green foliage is red stemmed.
'Maggie Daley'
Vigorous growing, reaching up to 2.5 feet, with purplish-pink flowers borne on dense spikes during mid-summer.
The foliage is rich deep green.
'Moewe'
Reaches up to 28 inches, with mid-green foliage and reddish-pink flower plumes during early summer.
'Montgomery'
Reaches up to 2.5 x 3 ( rarely over 2 x 2 ) feet, with scarlet-red flower plumes during early summer.
The foliage is deep reddish-green.
* photo taken on Sep 26 2013 in Baltimore Co., MD
* photos taken on June 22 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 28 2019 in Columbia, MD
'Mountain Crystal'
Reaches up to 3.5 feet with pure white flowers borne during mid summer.
'Peach Blossom'
Fast growing, reaching up to 2.5 x 4 feet ( foliage ht 20 inches ), with thick, sturdy, bold, glossy green foliage and mid-pink flowers borne in airy plumes during early summer.
* photos taken on June 5 2010 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 19 2010 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 20 2015 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 12 2019 in Columbia, MD
'Radius'
Reaches up to 3 x 1.5 feet, with dark foliage and glowing scarlet-red flower plumes during early summer. Requires partial shade and moist soil.
'Red Light'
Reaches up to 3 x 2 feet, with glossy, bronze tinted foliage and intense scarlet-red flower plumes during early to mid summer.
'Red Sentinal'
Reaches up to 3 x 1.8 feet ( foliage ht 16 inches ), with intense brick-red flowers borne in lacy, loose panicles during early summer.
The mahogany-red stems bear bronze turning to deep green leaves.
'Rheinland'
Reaches up to 2.6 x 2 feet ( foliage ht 1 foot ) with clear-pink flowers borne during early summer.
The attractive, very bold foliage is glossy green.
It requires abundant moisture and mulch during hot summer weather or its foliage will die back.
* photos taken on June 26 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 5 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 12 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 21 2020 in Columbia, MD
'Salland'
Tall with purplish-pink flowers during mid summer.
'Sarma'
Reaches up to 32 inches, with bronze foliage and diamond-shaped, white flower plumes during early to mid summer.
'Sister Theresa'
* photos taken on June 3 2022 in Columbia, MD
'Snowdrift'
Compact in habit, reaching up to 3 x 3.6 feet ( foliage ht 20 inches ), with glossy foliage that is bright green, later turning to deep green.
The pure white flowers are borne in feathery plumes during late spring.
* photos taken on June 12 2010 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on May 3 2014 in Baltimore Co., MD
* photos taken on June 21 2018 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 3 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 3 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 14 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 21 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 8 2019 in Columbia, MD
'Spinell'
Reaches up to 3 feet, with deep pinkish-red flower plumes during early to mid summer.
The foliage is luxuriant reddish-green.
'Touch of Pink'
Reaches up to 16 inches, with very glossy deep green foliage and pale orange-pink, loose, fluffy flower plumes during early summer.
'Venus'
Reaches up to 3 x 3 feet, with reddish-pink flower plumes during mid to late summer.
The foliage is bright green.
'Washington'
Reaches up to 2.5 x 2.5 feet, with creamy-white flower plumes during early to mid summer.
'White Gloria'
Reaches up to 3 x 3 feet, with white, blocky flower plumes during early to mid summer.
'White Queen'
Reaches up to 2 feet, with creamy-white, dense flower plumes during late spring.
'White Wings'
Compact in habit, reaching up to 15 inches, with pinkish-white, loose, fluffy flower plumes during early summer.
Astilbe microphylla
A rare Astilbe, reaching up to 5 feet ( foliage ht 1.5 feet ) with very fine textured foliage.
The soft pink flowers are borne on elegant, tall, narrow spikes.
Astilbe rivularis ( Giant River Astilbe )
A large, spreading, clump-forming perennial, reaching a maximum size of 8 x 4 feet, that is native to the Himalayas.
The leaves are composed of ovate leaflets, up to 6 x 3.5 inches.
The creamy-white flowers are borne in arching plumes, up to 2 feet in length.
Hardy zones 5 to 8 in partial shade.
Astilbe x rosea
A perennial reaching a maximum size of 3 x 2 feet, with feathery, deeply-cut foliage.
The flowers are borne in fluffy inflorescenes.
Hardy zones 5 to 8
'Queen Alexandra'
Deep pink flowers.
Astilbe simplicifolia ( Simple-Leaf Astilbe )
A perennial, reaching a maximum size of 16 inches x 3 feet ( foliage ht 1 foot ), that is native to rock walls in mountains of Honshu Island of Japan. It is endangered in the wild. It is excellent for mass planting and edging in woodland gardens.
The leaves, up to 4.5 x 2.8 inches in size, are simple but deeply cut, often resembling that of Amur Maple in habit. The foliage is glossy deep green.
The white to pale pink flowers are borne in narrow, arching inflorescences during early to mid summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial to full shade on moist, fertile, humus-rich, well drained soil.
* photo taken on Aug 1 2013 in Stratford, Ontario
'Aphrodite'
Reaches up to 2 x 2 feet ( foliage ht 1 foot ), with coarse, bronze foliage and scarlet-red flower plumes during mid to late summer.
'Atrorosea'
Reaches up to 1.5 feet with deep pink flowers.
'Bronze Elegans'
Reaches up to 20 inches x 1.5 feet, with glossy deep bronze-green foliage and reddish-pink flower plumes during mid to late summer.
Requires shade.
'Darwin's Snow Sprite'
Reaches up to 22 inches, with very glossy, very deep green foliage and pure white flower plumes during mid to late summer. It is a white form of Astilbe simplicifolia 'Sprite'
'Dunkellachs'
Reaches up to 2 x 2 feet, with glossy reddish foliage and deep salmon-pink flower plumes during mid to late summer.
'Hennie Graafland'
Reaches up to 2 x 2 feet ( in 2 years ) eventually up to 3 feet in width, with glossy deep green foliage ( foliage ht 10 inches ) contrasting with bright pink, airy, arching flower plumes during mid to late summer.
* photos taken on July 11 2014 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on Sep 9 2014 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on July 15 2015 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on July 7 2016 in Columbia, MD
'Inshriach Pink'
Reaches up to 14 inches x 1.5 feet, with deep bronze, crinkled foliage and light pink flower plumes during mid to late summer.
'Jacqueline'
Reaches up to 28 inches x 2 feet, with deep green foliage and large pink flower plumes during mid to late summer. It is an improved version of 'Hennie Graafland'.
'Pink Lightning'
Reaches up to 1.5 x 2 feet, with glossy very deep green foliage and light pink airy flower plumes during early summer.
'Sprite'
Vigorous growing, dense and compact, reaching up to 20 inches x 3 feet ( foliage ht 10 inches ), with very glossy, deep bronze turning to very deep green, lacy foliage.
The light pink flowers are borne on arching flower plumes during mid to late summer.
* photos taken on July 7 2017 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 18 2018 in Sykesville, MD
* photo taken on June 22 2019 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 17 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photos taken on June 9 2024 in Columbia, MD
'William Buchanan'
Reaches up to 1.5 feet x 15 inches, with dense, glossy deep green, very curly foliage and creamy-white flower spikelets during mid to late summer. An excellent groundcover, especially attractive during spring when the foliage is deep-red.
* photo taken on June 6 2010 in Baltimore, County, MD
* photos taken on June 9 2015 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 11 2020 in Columbia, MD
* photo taken on June 22 2020 in Columbia, MD
Astilbe taquetii
A perennial, reaching up to 4 feet, that is native to China. it is often considered to be a subspecies of Astilbe chinensis.
The leaves are deep green.
The flowers are borne in long spikes during mid summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8. Tolerates full sun on moist soil or some drought if in the shade.
'Purple Candles'
Vigorous, reaching up to 4 x 4 feet ( foliage ht 2 feet ), with attractive, bold, large, bronze-green foliage. The purplish-pink flowers are borne in narrow, dense, large, upright flower spikes during late summer into early autumn.
Drought tolerant and among the best performers for hot humid summers.
* photo taken on May 3 2014 in Baltimore Co., MD
* photos taken on Aug 2 2011 in Hyde Park, NY
'Superba'
A fast growing, perennial, reaching up to 5 x 5+ feet ( foliage ht 25 inches ), with bold, deep bronze-green foliage. The bright rose-purple flowers are borne on heavily-branched, tall, conical inflorescences during mid summer.
Astilbe thunbergii ( Thunberg's Astilbe )
A perennial, reaching up to 4 x 3 feet, that is native to mountain forests in the Kuril Islands, China and much of Japan. It is usually found in woodland edge in mountains.
The leaves are up to 12 inches in length. They are up to 3x divided into many leaflets up to 4 x 2 inches in size. The foliage is mid-green.
The flowers are borne in spreading inflorescenes with side branches that arch.
The flowers are borne mid to late summer.
Hardy zones 3 to 8 in partial to full shade on moist, fertile, well drained soil.
'Betsy Cuperus'
Reaches up to 3.5 x 3 feet, with drooping, pink flower plumes during early to mid summer.
var. fujisanensis
Reaches up to 8 inches, with creamy-white flower plumes during mid to late summer.
The congested foliage is deeply cut. Looks great in a shady rock garden.
'Moerheimii'
Reaches up to 3 x 2 feet, with small deep green foliage and gently arching white flower plumes during summer.
'Moerheim's Glory'
A stately Astilbe with glossy deep green foliage and very pale lavender pink flower plumes reaching up to 6.5 ( rarely over 4 ) feet in height.
'Ostrich Plume'
Reaches up to 4 x 4 feet ( foliage ht 20 inches ), with deep green foliage and drooping deep pink flower plumes during early to mid summer. Looks great planted next to water, especially with Darmera peltata.
'Professor Van der Wielen'
Reaches up to 4.5 x 3 feet ( foliage ht 20 inches ), with gracefully weeping, huge, white flower plumes during early summer. Looks great planted next to water.
Additional Astilbe Info
New Astilbe Cultivar Patents
https://patents.justia.com/patents-by-us-classification/PLT/407
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