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>Leslie Gold</span> Wed, 05/14/2025 - 17:07
Can this plant be a potted plant on a balcony?
<span>Catherine</span> Sun, 03/31/2024 - 21:50
Hi there, I love Astilbe. I have planted 2 in my garden growing beautifully. However when it's starts to rain heavily they bow over i.e. limped looking. I waited after several sunny days but they never straightened up like before. Is it because I did not put the root deep enough in the soil or it's unavoidable after heavy rain because their stem are fragile? Anything should buy to help them stand?
<span>Portia Forman</span> Sat, 05/27/2023 - 15:02
I just received my astilbe bulbs. I live in southeast Michigan. Is it to late to plant the bulbs? Do I need to wait until fall to plant them?
<span>Pete Artzer</span> Sun, 05/21/2023 - 12:25
We just purchased Astilbe Chocolate Kiss and I am noticing that the leaves are rolling up and turning brown, what do I need to do to save this beautiful plant?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 05/24/2023 - 12:06

If astilbe leaves are curling and turning brown, this is usually drought stress. Astilbe need very moist soils in shady spots.  Water consistently to keep soil moist (not soggy); add organic mulch to keep the roots cool and moist. Water the plant regularly and only allow the top one inch of the soil to dry out between irrigations. 

 <span>Luetta Leglerpo</span> Sat, 10/10/2020 - 13:34
I planted a bare rooted plant several months ago in a pot. How should I winter it? I live in Greeley Colorado
<span>Christine</span> Tue, 06/09/2020 - 10:52
Similar to the comment on May 7, 2020, I planted my Astibles from bare root last year and am not seeing any green growth yet. Might they lie dormant the first year? Should I keep waiting another year before planting something else?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 06/10/2020 - 15:59

As soil warms in spring (such as around May, depending on your location), you should see sprouts appear within 1 to 3 weeks. Often, bare root plants may bloom the first year, but will be stronger, more established during the second year. If your plants are showing no signs of growth, it could be that they did not survive over winter--you might, however, wait a month or so just to be sure.

Here are a few problems that can happen during planting:

1) Cold/frost injury: It's usually recommended that you plant bare root astilbes in spring. In very warm zones, such as Texas or California, the vendor may recommend planting in January/February; middle zones, around March and April; and northern zones, around April or May. This is so that the roots will not be injured by winter cold/spring frosts before the plant becomes established. Fall planting can also be done, with care to protect the crown. Be sure to plant crowns about 1 or 2 inches below the surface.

2) Drying out: Astilbes do not like to dry out. That's why planting in summer is not recommended. When receiving bare root plants, try to plant them immediately or keep the roots moist. Ideally, a moist, well-drained spot in part to full shade is best. In especially warm climates, deeper shade is recommended, or you'll need to pay close attention to keeping the soil moist (but not waterlogged).

Hope this helps!

 

 

 

 <span>Christine Calcinari</span> Thu, 05/07/2020 - 16:05
I have had other Astilbe at previous residences, but don't remember their growth habit. These plans were planted from bare root last year, I am not seeing any growth yet, as of today, when do Astilbe typically emerge? It has been an unusually cool Spring, still in the 50's sometimes even cooler at night in New Hampshire. I hope I have not lost them.
<span>Lela T Simonson</span> Fri, 04/24/2020 - 10:39
I am looking for Astilbe that does not grow taller that 12 inches including the flower. Does this size actually exist in the Astilbe? If so, what is the name? Thank you for your help. Lela