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Herbaceous Perennial

Astilbe japonica

false buck's beard

A clump-forming herbaceous perennial to 80cm high, with dark green leaves divided into about nine diamond shaped leaflets with toothed margins. Flowers earlier than many other species, producing branching, feathery plumes of white flowers up to 20cm long in early summer

Other common names

silver sheaf
spiraea

Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Saxifragaceae
Native to the UK: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Clump forming
Genus: Astilbe are rhizomatous herbaceous perennials with attractive, usually ternately divided leaves and erect plume-like panicles of tiny white, pink or purple flowers in summer. The old, brown flower-heads remain attractive in autumn
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist, humus rich or boggy soil in full sun, or in drier soils grow in partial shade. Will not thrive in soils that dry out in summer. Divide and replant every 3-4 years to maintain vigour and flower quality, discarding any old, woody rhizomes. May be damaged by late spring frosts

Propagation

Propagate by division in winter or early spring; replant immediately or pot up to plant out in spring when re-established

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Flowering stems may be cut back when flowers fade, or left standing for winter interest

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to leaf spot and powdery mildews

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