Astilbe a Perennial Shade Plant and Pond Plant

Also known as False Goat’s Beard, and False Spirea, the botanical name Astilbe is from Greek and means ‚”without brilliance”, which is an odd name for a plant that has showy plumes of flowers in red, magenta, pink, lavender, salmon, and white.

Astilbe is native to China and Japan and has only been known in the West for about 100 years. They were brought to the Americas in the early 20th century by German botanist George Arends. Arends is also one of the major hybridizers of these shade flowers. Astilbe Arendsii hybrids tend to have white and deep burgundy flowers.

The Pond Plant That Glows

Astilbe is a tall plant with feathery foliage that emerges a brilliant green and matures to red or bronze. Flowering times vary with cultivars, but astilbes are sought after for their very showy flowers that rise above the foliage in fronds of red, salmon, pink, lavender and white.

The flowers will develop small round seed pods that can be left on the plant until spring to provide winter interest, if desired. The dry flower stalks are also attractive in dried flower arrangements or other crafts.

Hardy to USDA zone 4, astilbe is a long-lived perennial that lights up the shady areas where they grow best.

Easy to Grow Perennial Shade Flower

Astilbe is one of the easiest plants to grow. Although, these perennial shade plants need continuous moisture and protection from full sun, they can tolerate a few hours of morning sun or filtered shade, provided they have a constant supply of moisture.

In their native land, astilbe grew wild along stream banks under trees where the soil was acidic. Although astilbe will tolerate a wide range of conditions, they even grow successfully in heavy clay soil; keeping them well watered is essential.

Plant astilbe in spring or fall in a spot that has had the soil loosened 12 to 15 inches deep and twice the mature spread of the plant. Add plenty of organic material to help retain moisture. Plant so that the crown is just slightly above the soil surface and keep very well watered for at least two weeks until the roots have taken hold.

Astilbe require little in the way of added fertilizers but a two inch layer of compost spread around the plant every spring will provide nourishment, help keep the soil moist and control weeds.

Dividing Astilbe

A happily growing astilbe will multiply rapidly. The plants can be divided everything three to four years just as new growth is starting in the spring.

Astilbes are easy to divide. Lift the clump and cut into smaller sections with a sharp spade. Replant the sections in newly dug holes up 18 to 24 inches apart depending on the mature size of the cultivar.

Mulching the plants in the late fall helps to protect the fibrous root systems from freeze thaw cycles, but is generally unnecessary with mature plants.

Astilbes may be planted with hostas, ferns and bleeding hearts. They are useful also for hiding the dying foliage of spring bulbs, such as tulips and daffodils.