Astilbe
Astilbe × arendsii and hybrids
Astilbes are shade-loving perennials with fern-like leaves and feathery plumes of pink, red, lilac or white flowers in summer. They thrive in moist soil and brighten shady borders and pond edges.
Photo: AfroBrazilian · CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Partial sun, Low light
Watering
High
Keep the soil consistently moist; astilbes quickly brown in dry soil.
Soil
Rich, moist, humus-rich soil; pH 5.5–6.5.
Temperature and humidity
-35–30 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed in spring with a balanced fertilizer and mulch with compost.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by division
Leave dried plumes for winter interest, then cut back in early spring.
Astilbes are not toxic.
Top Cultivation Tips
Divide every 3–4 years in spring.
Plant beside ponds and streams.
Struggles in hot, dry climates.
Deer tend to leave it alone.
Common problems
Powdery mildew
A fungal disease that coats leaves, buds and young shoots with a white, flour-like dust, weakening the plant and spoiling flowers and fruit.
How to treat it →PestSpider mites
Tiny sap-sucking mites that thrive in hot, dry conditions, causing speckled, dull leaves and fine webbing.
How to treat it →DiseaseUnderwatering
Too little water makes plants wilt, crisp at the edges and drop leaves, flowers and fruit.
How to treat it →
