Astilbe ×arendsii
astilbe
SaxifragaceaeWhite, pink, red, even peach flowers; ferny,
green or bronzy foliage
2–4 ft. high; 2 ft. wide
Shade
Blooms June–July
Zones 3–8
pruning Deadheading will not
induce more bloom, and the dried
seedheads extend the interest of
astilbe through the season and even
into winter. With certain cultivars orspecies of Astilbe, seeding can be a
problem in some years, particularly if
there is a moist spring. Once it is
determined that seeding presents a
problem, such plants can be dead-
headed in the future. Deadleafing may
be necessary to keep plants neat,
particularly if subjected to dry
conditions. If plants have totally
“crisped” from prolonged drought, they
can be cut to the ground for regrowth
of fresh foliage later in the season with
the return of cooler, moister condi-
tions. Depending on the severity of the
conditions, new growth may not
return until the spring of the following
season, if at all. Astilbe foliage can be
subject to late-spring frost damage,
particularly on Astilbe ×arendsii and A.
japonica types; any such damage
should be pruned off and plants will
rebound nicely. Some gardeners
remove the flowers of their astilbe
when in full bud to delay bloom. I
haven’t had luck with this myself;
when I remove the buds, the plants
simply don’t flower at all. Factors such
as soil fertility and moisture level, as
well as overall age or vigor of the plant
and the particular species, most likely
contribute to these different results.
Do not cut back for winter, but prune
in early spring. The old foliage may
help protect the plant from winter
damage in colder areas.Asteromoea mongolicaAstilbe ×arendsii ‘Hyazinth’