ASTILBE. False spiraea. North America, Asia. Deciduous perennials of unusual form and texture. They have beautiful dissected basal leaves and display large plumes of tiny flowers in summer. Sun or shade along the coast, light to medium shade inland, loose, well drained soil, constant moisture. Hardy to about 0oF.
chinensis. Chinese astilbe. This 2’ species gives a decidedly different impression from most of the modern hybrids. The leaves are shorter-stalked and broader-parted. The flower stems have shorter branches and denser, blunt-tipped clusters of less airy appearance, though still quite showy. The variety pumila holds its leaves nearly flat on the ground and has spikes of mauve pink flowers rising 6-10". ‘Finale’ has stems up to 18" high, with unusually large clusters of bright pink flowers.
hybrids (x arendsii, x rosea). In general, these have arching, long-stalked leaves of 1’ or more, often heavily tinged with red, and pyramidal flower clusters rising 2-3’ from July to September. ‘Amethyst’ sports large plumes verging on lavender above 3’ stems. ‘Bremen’ has blossoms of dark coral pink. ‘Bridal Veil’ and ‘Snow Drift’ have pure white flowers. Those of ‘Fanal’ are deep red (this selection is also relatively dwarf in habit, usually 1’ to 1½’ tall). ‘Feuer’ has 2½’ stems of salmon-rose flowers. ‘Obergartner Jurgens’ has carmine flowers on 2’ stems. ‘Peach Blossom’ has light pink flowers, as does ‘Europa’.
taquetii ‘Superba’ is a robust selection, making broad clumps with large, red-tinged leaves. It blooms in late summer, sending up sturdy 3' towers of purplish rose flowers.