Find a plant:

OR Browse All Plants


Genus Astilbe

Astilbe Astilbe chinensis 'Veronica Klose' Photo/Illustration: Jennifer Benner
ah-STILL-bee
Plants in the genus Astilbe are clump-forming perennials with handsome leaves and distinct pink, purple, red, or white plume-like flowers. Blooms appear mostly in summer and fade to attractive browns for fall and winter appeal. These plants make attractive cut flowers but fade quickly.
 Noteworthy characteristics: Astilbes originate in southeast Asia and North America in mountain ravines, streambanks, and woodlands. They are useful in damp borders, waterside beds, woodland gardens, or shady rock gardens. 
 Care: Provide moist, fertile soil or boggy sites in full sun. Also tolerates drier soils in partial shade with extra water during dry spells. Avoid dry alkaline or clay soils.
 Propagation: Divide clumps in early spring. Replant immediately or pot up and plant in early summer.
 Problems: Tarnished plant bug, powdery mildew, bacterial leaf spots, Cercospora leaf spots.

Species, varieties and cultivars for genus Astilbe

Astilbe chinensis var. pumila Astilbe chinensis var. pumila
 (1 user review)
Hardiness Zones: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11

This is a dwarf astilbe with attractive red-green leaves and reddish pink flowers in broad, dense conical groups. Its blooms appear mostly in summer.