Astilbe Varieties and Basic Care

‘False Goats Beard’

Although they do require moisture, Astilbe plants are not that difficult to grow if you prepare the soil well and have a shady position. If you do you will be rewarded with fantastic flowers and attractive ferny foliage.

Astilbe chinensis 'Fireberry', — Astilbe Professor van der Weilan

Flowering season is late spring to summer and this is also the time that the foliage is at its best. Depending on variety flower colours range from white through to red and purple, they also vary in height, from low growing to tall majestic species that add height to the border.

Sometimes known as ‘False Goats Beard’ astilbe have feathery foliage and colourful plume like flowers rising above the foliage during early summer.

Astilbe chinensis ‘Fireberry’, pictured above, is a low growing variety, well suited to containers.

Most varieties are considered to be a partial to full shade plant, they do appreciate a little morning sun with protection from the hot afternoon sun.

How to Grow Astilbe Plants – Basic Care

Astilbe are a plant that requires moisture and protection from the hot sun.They will grow from 40cm to 90cm in height depending on variety and given the right conditions.

Preparing the Soil

If you can provide moist shaded conditions Astilbe are one of the most colourful woodland plants. Although some are more tolerant of drier conditions than others, none really grow well in dry soils, so before you plant them amend the soil.

Start by digging the soil over well, to a good depth of around 30 cm (12 inches). Then dig in good amounts of compost and coir peat. In very dry or free draining soils you may wish to create a bog garden.

Soil that is rich in organic matter, and reasonably moist at all times will suit astilbe, so consider some water saving crystals placed in the root zone of plants when planting.

For this you need to dig the soil out to 45 cms, line the hole with pond liner and then pierce the pond liners with a garden fork every 5 cms. Mix coir, compost and soil in equal parts and fill the bog garden with this mix. Plant your Astilbe into this area. It should retain moisture for a lot longer than it would without the pond liner without becoming water logged

How to Plant Astilbe

Choose a position with protection from hot sun.
Prepare the soil.
Dig in some well rotted compost, a little blood and bone and some aged manure.
Ensure good moisture from spring through summer, however not waterlogged conditions.
A position by the side of a shaded pond is ideal. Constant water logged soil is not.

Propagation

These are a long lived plant and after a number of years established clumps can be divided.

We suggest dividing clumps every 3 – 4 years. This is the easiest form of propagation and will also encourage better growth and more flowers.

Dig the whole rootball, split into 2 or 3 pieces and the replant into soil that has been prepared as laid out above.