Astilbe

( ass - TILL - bee )

At-A-Glance Information

Perfect for perennial borders, these are sometimes called False Spirea or False Goat's Beard and need regular water and full sun exposure in cooler climates. Flowers are light and airy and will bloom from late spring through summertime. Blooms are small and can be pink, white, or red. They are carried in feather-like clusters on branch ends. Most of these plants get to between 6 inches and 3 feet tall and 2-3 feet wide. In cooler summer climates, plants can take full sun if given adequate water. The flowers will attract butterflies to your garden.

AStilbe Species and Varietals

Astilbe is a member of the plant family Saxifragaceae, and includes around 15 species and many cultivars. False Spirea grows best in zones A2, A3, 1-7 and 14-17, and can grow but is short-lived in zones 8, 9, and 18-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
Astilbe x arendsii (Astilbe Arendsii Group)
This hybrid group was created mainly by growers and breeders in Holland and Germany, and include crosses between Astilbe astilboides, Astilbe chinensis, Astilbe japonica, and Astilbe thunbergii, among others. Most Astilbe plants sold commercially are of this species; Varieties are outlined below. Flowers range in color from white to purplish-red. The group name Arendsii is derived from the name of German horticulturalist Georg Arends.
'Amethyst'
A late-blooming variety with lavender flowers, grows to 3-4 feet tall.
'Bridal Veil'
Blooms midseason to late in the season. Has full-white blooms on stalks 3 feet tall.
'Color Flash Series'
Midseason blooms in pink with colorful foliage. 'Color Flash' is a great variety.
'Deutschland'
Early blooming variety with white flowers on 1.5 foot stems and bright green leaves.
'Fanal'
Early bloomer with blood red flowers and bronze foliage. Gets 1.5 to 2.5 feet tall.
'Ostrich Plume'
Midseason to late season bloomer, with drooping pink clusters of flowers. 3-3.5 feet tall.
'Peach Blossom'
Light salmon-pink flowers bloom in mid-season, grows to 2 feet tall. 
'Rheinland'
Early bloomer with deep pink flowers that gets 2-2.5 feet tall. 
Astilbe chinensis (False Goat's Beard, Tall False-Buck's-Beard, Chinese Astilbe)
These perennial herbaceous plants grow naturally along streams in moist soil, though they can tolerate dry soil. It is a commonly cultivated species used in shade gardens, and generally blooms in late summertime, producing shows of white to pink flowers. Use Astilbe chinensis to fill in woodland gardens, in cottage-style gardens, or as a groundcover (dwarf varieties are best for this purpose). Varieties are outlined and described below.
'Diamonds and Pearls'
Pure white flowers bloom atop stems that are 2-2.5 feet tall.
'Finale'
Pink flowers on stems 18-20 inches tall.
'Purple Candles'
Light purple blooms on stems 3.5 feet tall.
'Visions'
Early bloomer with and upright habit to 15 inches tall, flowers are raspberry-pink and leaves are bronze-green. 
Astilbe chinensis davidii
Dense, pink blooms flower on stems up to three feet tall.
​Astilbe chinensis pumila
Low mats of leaves produce lilac-pink to mauve flower clusters up to 12-15 inches tall.
Astilbe chinensis taqueti 'Superba'
This variety of Astilbe has rose-mauve flowers and grows to reach 4-5 feet tall at maturity.
Astilbe chinensis taqueti 'Purpurlanze'
With reddish-purple blooms.

Astilbe glaberrima (Florist's Spiraea, Smooth Rock Astilbe)
These plants make up a great dwarf species of False Spiraea. It has two accepted varieties, Astilbe glaberrima glaberrima, and Astilbe glaberrima saxatalis.

Astilbe japonica (False Buck's Beard)
This species is native to Japan, and has many commonly grown cultivars, including 'Deutschland', 'Montgomery', and 'Rheinland'.
Astilbe simplicifolia (Entire Leaved Astilbe, Entire Leaved False Goat's Beard)
This species is native to Japan and North Korea, and reaches 1.5 feet tall and wide; leaves are not as divided as most others are in the genus Astilbe. The specific epithet simplicifolia refers to the fact that these plants have simple leaves. This species has many varietals and hybrids made for gardens, some outlined below.
'Pink Lightning'
Delicate blooms emerge purple-red and open up to reveal clear pink flowers. 
'Sprite'
Best known variety of this species, a low-growing, compact plant that blooms profusely in summer with pink flowers and bronze leaves. 
'Hennie Graafland'
Similar to 'Sprite' but grows a bit taller and blooms earlier in the season.

Astilbe thunbergii
This species has a very notable cultivar, 'Straussenfender', which has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Caring for Astilbe

Astilbe need moist (but not wet) rich soil with ample humus. Faded flower stems should be dead-headed, and clumps of flowers should be divided every 4-5 years to keep a neat appearance. 

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 177 - 178, Astilbe
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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