Excellent plants for shady moist sites. Forms neat mounds. Fern like foliage is glossy green or reddish bronze in color. Excellent border plants and when used as a mass planting. showy plume like flowers
Astilbes need a high organic matter soil that retains some moisture. Dry, sunny locations lead to plants with poor foliage and few flowers. Astilbes are heavy feeders. Fertilize in spring and again in the fall when they are setting flower buds.
'Red Sentinel' 18-24 inches tall red flowers
'Glow' 1-2 feet tall red flowers
'Rheinland' 2 feet tall pink flowers
'Deutschland' 3 feet tall white flowers
'Ostrich Plume' 3 feet tall pink flowers
Numerous other cultivars availabel in the Chinensis, Japonica, Thunbergia and Simplicifolia groups.
4 - 9
June - July
Bacterial Disease
Environmental Damage
Fungal Disease
Additional pests and problems that may affect this plant:
Tarnished plant bug, xanthomonus , powdery mildew, drought
Keep well watered during July and August. They benefit from dividing every 3 years. Require very well-drained soils during the winter. Fertilize with high nitrogen fertilizer in October to aid in flower bud formation for next season. Reported to be deer and rabbit resistant.