Astilbes, also known as false goat's beard, bring feathery plumes in white, pink, red and violet to partially shaded corners of the garden. Here you will find robust, hardy perennials for moist borders, pond edges and woodland margins, including the dark-leaved 'Black Pearls'. Plant the rootstocks in spring or autumn while the ground is frost-free. Flowering follows from June to August, depending on variety and location.
Astilbe is one of the few perennials that flowers eye-catchingly for weeks in partial shade. The varieties differ mainly in colour, height and flowering time. Arendsii hybrids such as 'Brautschleier' with pure white plumes or 'Fanal' in deep red flower from June. Japonica varieties such as 'Europa' are more compact and early. Chinensis varieties such as 'Purple Glory' flower later and tolerate a little more dryness. A real eye-catcher is 'Black Pearls', with almost black foliage and dark red plumes. If you want to combine several colours, choose the astilbe mix.
Astilbes are usually supplied as rootstocks and planted from March to May or in September and October, as soon as or as long as the ground is frost-free. On the Swiss Plateau spring is ideal; at higher altitudes it is better to wait until April. The best spot is partial to light shade, for example at the edge of shrubs, on the north side of the house or by a pond. They only thrive in full sun if the soil stays permanently moist. The soil should be humus-rich, moist and acidic to neutral. Astilbes dislike dry, chalky soils.
Plant the rootstock about 3 to 5 cm deep so the shoot buds sit just below the surface. A spacing of 40 to 50 cm is recommended, which is about four to five plants per square metre. Fully grown, most varieties reach 40 to 100 cm, about 60 cm on average, and spread to about 45 cm.
Astilbes are fully hardy in Switzerland and need no winter protection.
Astilbes go well with hostas, ferns, hardy geraniums and Japanese anemones. Together with hostas they make a calm shade border in which the plumes add colour from June to August. The plumes also make good cut flowers if you cut them when about half the individual flowers are open. Slugs and deer usually leave them alone.
