An elegant plant highlighted with towering flower spikes. Soft plumes of pink are offset by green, fern-like foliage. This shocking-pink astilbe will brighten up dark areas with extra-wide, brush-like plumes. Attractive bronze-green foliage creates an eye-catching colour contrast. The seed heads provide winter interest in the garden. This astilbe's compact size and love of shade also makes it ideal for containers on covered decks. Plants stay attractive throughout the growing season and have the added benefit of deer resistance.
Astilbe Arendsii is perfect for the shady bed or border. It's a midsummer bloomer that goes well with hostas, ferns, and other shade plantings. Astilbe plants do best in moist (not wet) soils. They require rich soil with lots of compost or humus mixed in. In the north they do best in part shade with more sun than shade and in the south they do best in more shade than sun. They are not full shade plants because they will not flower well with out adequate light. Under poor light conditions they will grow into green clumps but flower poorly.
Astilbe flower seed is usually sown indoors in early spring and transplanted outside when the weather is warmer. Use a loose, soft soil mix, and plant the Astilbe seeds on the surface, pressing them into the soil. Make sure that the soil drains well and is able to keep the flower seeds moist, but not wet, at all times. For the best results, add in a little fertilizer that has a high concentration of nitrogen. Keep the Astilbe plants inside until the seedlings reach about 2 inches in height. Transplant after last frost.
Astilbe Plant Care Instructions: Ensure your plants remain consistently hydrated, as allowing them to dry out can be detrimental. The faded flowers may be pruned to encourage further blooming, or left intact to add enduring visual interest to your garden. Come early winter, consider trimming back the foliage to a modest 2 inches above the ground to promote healthy, vibrant growth in the forthcoming spring season.
Mature Spread: 20-24 inches
Habit: Upright
Flower Color: Lilac
Foliage Color: Green
Attracts: Bees, Butterflies
Features: Cut Flower
Garden Styles: Container Garden, Cottage Garden, English Garden, Japanese Garden, Pollinator Garden, Woodland Garden
Plant Used for: Aesthetic Appeal, Borders and Edging, Filler, Focal Point, Healing and Medicinal, Texture
Critter Resistance: Deer, Rabbit
Pet Friendly: Yes
Plant Type: Hybrid
Sunlight: 2-5 hours
Overwinter Zones: 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Soil Moisture: Moist to Wet
Soil Properties: Well-drained
Tolerates: Clay soil
Fertilizer: When transplanted and then once every Spring
