Astilbe simplicifolia 'Pretty in Pink'

RHS Plant Profile
astilbe 'Pretty in Pink'

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A compact, dwarf, clump-forming perennial about 30-40cm tall, with basal rosettes of sharply-toothed, oval rich green leaves, and open, arching loose plumes of two-tone pale- and mid-pink flowers on dark stems to 30cm tall in mid and late summer

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.5-1 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
0.5-1 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
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)
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Saxifragaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
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
Unresolved

How to Grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist or boggy soil in dappled shade, where the soil never dries out and remains moisture-retentive in summer. Drought intolerant, and may be scorched in direct sun. Good for waterside and woodland planting. See Astilbe cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in late winter to early spring; replant immediately or pot up and grow on under glass to plant out in late spring when plants are re-established

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Cut flowers
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Flowering stems can be tidied and cut back when flowers fade, but can also be left for winter interest and wildlife habitat

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to leaf spot weather damage and powdery mildews