Perfect for adding long-lasting color and flair to moist, shady gardens, here's how to successfully grow and care for astilbe in your yard.
Astilbe Plant Care and Growing Tips
Updated Aug. 14, 2024
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How to Grow an Astilbe Plant
- Common name(s): false spirea, false goat’s beard, Chinese astilbe
- Scientific name: Astilbe spp.
- Hardiness zones: 3 to 9, depending on the variety
- Light needs: partial shade to full shade, can handle full sun in northern climates
- Watering needs: keep soil consistently moist in spring/summer; does not tolerate drought
- Preferred soil: rich, well-drained, uniformly moist
- Size: 1 to 5 feet tall, 1 to 3 feet wide, depending on the variety
- Pollinators: bees and butterflies
Astilbe might thrive in the shade, but it’s no shrinking violet when it comes to beauty. It’s striking, feathery flower plumes vary from red and pink to purple and white, and are framed by deep green and bronze fern-like foliage.
“Astilbe is ideal for adding texture and providing long-lasting colors in woodland gardens or shady borders,” says Laura Root, a horticulturist at Jackson & Perkins. “It also attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies and makes an excellent option for cut and dried flower arrangements.”
The most vital step for helping astilbe thrive is to keep the soil consistently moist throughout the growing season. Since astilbe does not tolerate drought, it can help to add mulch around the plants to help the soil retain moisture and keep the roots cool.
When and Where to Plant Astilbe
It’s best to plant astilbe in the spring or fall, in rich, well-drained soil. In most of the country they need to be in partial to full shade, but in the northernmost reaches, like upper Michigan and Wisconsin, they can handle full sun as long as the soil is consistently moist.
“Astilbes are excellent for mass planting in shady areas, and are also deer and rabbit resistant and black walnut toxicity tolerant,” says Spencer Campbell, arboretum plant clinic manager at The Morton Arboretum.
Can You Grow Astilbe in Containers?
They grow at a moderate rate, and can be grown in containers, as long as they are kept consistently moist. “Containers need to be made of natural material as plastics tend to get very hot and will cook the root system if not careful,” says Laura. “Glazed pottery is best as it’s natural and retains moisture better than non-glazed pottery or terracotta.”
Should You Deadhead Astilbe Flowers?
Leave the plant standing and seedheads on the plants for winter interest and increased hardiness. You may wish to deadhead flowers of varieties that tend to reseed.
“Chinese astilbes are also heavy feeders and prefer spring fertilization,” says Spencer.
Divided astilbe every three to five years to prevent overcrowding. Spencer recommends doing that in the early spring or mid-September.
Native Astilbe Plants
Most garden astilbes originated in Southeast Asia, but Astilbe biternata is native to the Appalachians, from Maryland and Virginia, south to Georgia. They grow up to 6 feet tall, with white, feathery flower clusters atop feathery, bright-green fern-like foliage, says Mary Phillips of the National Wildlife Federation.
Astilbe biternata is a larval host plant to several species of butterflies, and also important for native bees, moths and other insects. Especially if you live in its native range, consider planting it to help create habitat and boost the local ecosystem.
Does Astilbe Spread?
Astilbe is not considered weedy or invasive. It typically doesn’t reseed aggressively, but it is important to divide the plants every three to four years to maintain their vigor.
Astilbe Diseases and Problems
When planting, avoid dry, sunny locations and ensure adequate soil moisture to prevent common issues like powdery mildew and fungal leaf spots, says Laura. Lack of moisture can also cause poor flowering and leaf die-back, says Spencer.
Cultivars to Grow
Maggie Daley Chinese astilbe grows 28 inches tall and 16 to 20 inches wide . “It has fuzzy lavender-purple flowers, which show later than other astilbes,” says Spencer. “Spring foliage is bronzy and shiny, turning to dark green as it matures.”
‘Pumila’ Chinese astilbe is a dwarf variety, reaching 8 to 12 inches high and wide. It blooms from July through September, makes a good ground cover in moist, shady areas and spreads more quickly than other astilbes, says Spencer.
‘Superba’ Chinese astilbe is a large, showy plant with dense magenta-purple flowers. It grows to 3 to 4 feet high and 18 to 24 inches wide and has hairier stems than most other varieties.
‘Visions’ Chinese astilbe is a compact variety, growing 18 to 24 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide. It has upright flower stems, dark pink flowers and bronze green leaves with a dense habit.
About the Experts
- Laura Root is a horticulturist at Jackson & Perkins. She earned her degree in environmental horticulture from Virginia Tech and loves helping gardeners of all experience levels create vibrant, sustainable landscapes.
- Spencer Campbell is the arboretum plant clinic manager at The Morton Arboretum in Lisle, Illinois. The Plant Clinic is a free nationwide service providing home gardeners and green professionals with plant and growing advice.
- Mary Phillips is head of native plant habitat strategy/certifications at the National Wildlife Federation. As an ambassador for nature, she keeps habitat gardening programs flourishing with sustainable practices and ever-evolving scientific knowledge.
Originally Published: July 30, 2024
