Astilbe 'Spotlight' - 10 pieces

CHF 39.95

Astilbe 'Spotlight' - 10 pieces

Name: Astilbe 'Spotlight' - 10 pieces
Brand: Astilbe
Price: 39.95 CHF
Availability: OutOfStock

Astilbe 'Spotlight'

CHF 39.95

Feathery plumes in pale pink
Flowers from May to July
Compact, about 45–55 cm tall
Dark, bronze-tinted foliage
For edging and large containers

'Spotlight' is a compact, upright astilbe with feathery plumes in pale pink, above glossy dark green foliage with a bronze tinge. From May to July it brightens shady borders and is well suited to edging and large containers.

About this variety

Astilbe 'Spotlight' grows vigorously and upright. Its pale pink plumes stand out against the dark foliage like little lights. The leaves are finely cut, glossy dark green and have a bronze sheen, so the plant is an ornament in the shade border even before it flowers.

At about 45–55 cm, 'Spotlight' suits the front row of a border, path edging and large containers in shady seating areas. It likes humus-rich, moist to damp soil in partial shade. Lovely partners are ferns, woodland grasses, Brunnera and hostas. It shows to particular advantage in small groups.

The plumes are good for small posies and last a few days in a vase. In autumn the plant dies back and reliably reappears in spring. Leave the faded plumes standing over winter. The perennial is hardy even at higher altitudes and forms a dense clump over the years.

Planting

Plant astilbe in spring from March to May, or in autumn in September and October. A partly shaded spot with humus-rich, moist to damp soil is ideal. Make the planting hole twice the size of the root ball and set the shoot buds just below the surface. Space plants 40–50 cm apart and water in thoroughly.

Care

Keep the soil evenly moist, as even short dry spells turn the leaves brown. A mulch of leaves or compost in spring keeps moisture in the soil. Faded plumes can stay standing over winter. Cut back to ground level in spring and divide the clump every three to four years.

Specifications

Botanical name: Astilbe 'Spotlight'
Genus: Astilbe
Class: Various
Supplied as: Bare roots
Flower colour: Pink
Flowering time: May, June, July
Flowering season: Late spring, Early summer, High summer
Height: 50 cm
Spread: 60 cm
Habit: Clump-forming
Position: Partial shade, Shade
Suitable for: Bed, Woodland edge, Cutting garden
Soil type: Clay, Loamy
Drainage: Moisture-retentive, no waterlogging
Soil moisture: Moist to wet
Soil pH: Neutral
Soil note: Suitable for many Swiss garden soils. The soil should hold moisture without being permanently waterlogged.
Water needs: Medium
Planting time: March, April, May, September, October
Planting depth: Just cover the root collar
Spacing: 40–50 cm
Number per m²: 5
Hardiness in Switzerland: Hardy in Switzerland
Hardiness by location: Hardy, also at higher altitudes
Hardiness zone (USDA): 3–8
Overwintering note: Generally hardy in garden soil in Switzerland. At high, windy sites and in containers, plan extra winter protection and avoid winter wet.
For containers: Only partly suitable for containers
Container note: Only recommended in a sufficiently large, stable, well-drained container.
Cut flower: Suitable as a cut flower
Naturalising: Not suitable
Naturalising note: Persists for several years in a suitable spot, but does not normally spread over larger areas on its own.
For bees and butterflies: Not attractive to pollinators
RHS hardiness: H7