Get Almanac's Daily Updates Extended Forecasts Where to Buy Contact Us

How to Grow Astilbes: Fluffy Blooms for Shady Gardens

Astilbe plant with pink feathery plumes of flowers growing in the garden

Photo Credit
J. Kumpinovica/Shutterstock
Botanical Name
Astilbe
Plant Type
Flowers
Sun Exposure
Part Sun
Shade
Soil pH
Slightly Acidic to Neutral
Bloom Time
Spring
Summer
Flower Color
Pink
Red
White
Hardiness Zone
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
Special Features
Attracts Butterflies

Your guide to planting, growing, and caring for shade-loving perennials that brighten up any garden

Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Looking to add some flair to your shade garden? Meet astilbe—your new feathery friend! With their soft, colorful plumes and ferny foliage, astilbes are the drama queens of the shade border. They’re low-maintenance, deer-resistant, and perfect for adding texture and charm from spring to late summer. Let’s dig into how to grow these fluffy wonders like a pro!

 

About Astilbe

Deceptively delicate in appearance, this moisture- and semi-shade-loving perennial is hardy to Zone 4. Depending on the variety, the astilbe will provide blooms from late spring to late summer. A few selections are even fall-flowering. With proper moisture, the foliage remains attractive throughout its blooming period. They prefer a soil pH of slightly acidic to neutral.

Astilbes (Astilbe spp.) are clump-forming perennials belonging to the Saxifrage family and arising from a stout rootstock. The upright stems bear fern-like green foliage and feathery plumes extending above the foliage in shades of pink, red, purple, or white. The flower clusters vary in size from 6 inches to 2 feet, and the plant height ranges from 6 inches to 5 feet, depending on the variety.

They’ll add a splash of color to perennial borders, wet sites, containers, and groundcovers. The plant attracts butterflies and is resistant to rabbits and deer. The showy flowers are excellent for floral cuttings or use in a dried arrangement.

Read Next

Planting

Where to Plant Astilbe

Astilbes prefer light to moderate shade, but deep shade will result in few and/or poor flowers; full sun will burn the tender foliage. These plants demand moist, damp soil, but they must also drain well and not puddle, which would ensure their failure. Amend the soil with compost or aged manure (especially in clay types) to increase fertility; astilbe is a heavy feeder. Add perlite and coarse sand to improve drainage.

When to Plant Astilbe

  • Astilbe is usually planted as small plants purchased from garden stores in spring or fall.
  • Starting from seed is very difficult for the home gardener; astilbe can be difficult to germinate, and resulting plants tend to be short-lived.
  • Division is recommended to create new plants at home. Divide existing astilbe plants as soon as you see new growth in early spring.
Multicolored astilbe plants in garden, colorful vivid background, floral wallpaper. Different varieties of astilbe chinensis in one place
Astilbes come in many beautiful flowers!
Photo: znmysteryPhoto

How to Plant Astilbe

Plant purchased plants about 1 to 3 feet apart, depending on the type. Dig the hole and loosen the soil to about 10 to 12 inches deep. Mix in a handful of compost. Set the crown (where roots and plant connect) just below the soil line. Backfill with the soil removed from the hole. Water well after planting.

If setting bare-root plants, dig holes twice as wide as the plants’ roots and 4 to 6 inches deep. Place the plants so the roots are fanned slightly and pointing downwards, with the crown planted 1 to 2 inches below the ground level. Cover the roots with soil and press firmly.

Water well and keep consistently moist (not soaked).

Growing

  • Check that astilbes are moist. If rain does not occur, water deeply and regularly. Do not sprinkle frequently.
  • Astilbes are heavy feeders. Fertilize twice a year. Apply a balanced organic compound in spring and a high nitrogen fertilizer in fall.  (Learn more about soil amendments here.)
  • Astilbes are a bit slow to establish but then spread quickly, forming broad clumps with crowns that rise about the soil as they grow. Cover the crowns with compost-rich soil—or lift and replant.
  • Divide overgrown clumps every 3 to 4 years in the spring. Either replant the divisions immediately or put them in pots to be planted out in the early summer.
  • After the bloom period, clip off any spent flower stems. The foliage will hold visual appeal until fall.
  • After the first frost, the leaves may be yellow. Trim them, if desired. Fresh growth will return in spring.

Types

Popular astilbe hybrids include …

  • ‘Fanal’, for its dark green foliage and dark crimson flowers; about 1-1/2 feet tall.
  • ‘Irrlicht’, for its dark green foliage and elegant white flowers; up to 2 feet tall.
  • ‘Venus’, for its bright green foliage and bright pink flowers; up to 3 feet tall.
  • ‘Visions’ has strong stems, green leaves, thick raspberry flowers, and is more drought tolerant.

Harvesting

Cut astilbe flowers and leaves for beautiful arrangements. Vase life is 4 to 12 days. Or, astilbe flowers can be dried. Learn how to successfully dry flowers.

Note: Removing flower heads (deadheading) will NOT promote continued flowering.

Gardening Products

Pests/Diseases

Astilbe tends to be rabbit- and deer-resistant
Diseases: bacterial leaf spot, fungal leaf spot, powdery mildew, viruses, Fusarium wilt.
Pests: foliar nematodes, root-knot; tarnished plant bug.

Flowers
About The Author
Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann is the Executive Digital Editor of Almanac.com, the website companion of The Old Farmer's Almanac. She covers gardening, plants, pest control, soil composition, seasonal and moon c...
Read More from Catherine Boeckmann

More Like This

Comments

<span>Florene</span> Sat, 07/13/2013 - 16:34
Help! My astilbe is taking over my garden! How do I control this plant?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 07/16/2013 - 10:03
Yes, astilbe has a spreading habit which is what makes it great for ground cover. You need to divide to control the spread every 3 to 4 years. Divide your astilbe in the early spring. Also, deadhead the spent flowers so it won't self-seed and produce more flowers. Finally, use borders to maintain astilbe to a space.
<span>Laurajp</span> Fri, 07/12/2013 - 10:37
should my astilbe bloom all summer?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 07/15/2013 - 22:11
Astilbes bloom for 2 to 3 weeks each. However, by selecting several varieties with different bloom times (early- to late-season), the floral display can be extended over 2 or 3 months.
<span>Joe Gangone</span> Tue, 06/16/2015 - 13:47
My beautiful plants are striking but one of them, 4 weeks after planting, and blooming , has started to fade to a cream color and appears it's not doing well. Did I do something wrong, or is that a natural cycle and process ? Thank you
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Thu, 06/18/2015 - 16:34

Hi, Joe, Astilbes are heavy feeders, so be sure the soil has rich compost material that is well draining. Fertillizer 3-1-2 is recommended in spring; perhaps it's not too late. It's suggested to remove dead leaves or cut plants back to ground if foliage dries out during summer. They are vulnerable to powdery mildew, and leaf spot, and fungicides are recommended. Wilted or stunted plants should be removed. Here are a few possible problems and remedies: http://extension.psu.edu/pests/plant-diseases/all-fact-sheets/astilbe-diseases

We hope this helps.

 

 <span>Debbie P</span> Fri, 07/05/2013 - 07:07
My Astilbe was pink when I bought it, now the chutes are dark in color. How can I get them back?
<span>Motieprime</span> Fri, 07/05/2013 - 10:19
Hi, By chutes, I assume you mean new flower chutes.. :) The flowers will appear more dark than expected until the little tiny flowers actually open. I had the same concern about mine at first. patience is rewarded. Hope yours brightens up too. :)
<span>Jane H.p.</span> Thu, 07/04/2013 - 13:34
I have baby box elders all over my plant. Will soapy water damage the astilbe?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 07/08/2013 - 10:44
Soapy water is used to kill insects. Just make sure it's not too much. Use 1-2 tablespoons of soap per gallon of water.