Astilbe chinensis var. pumila

RHS Plant Profile
dwarf Chinese astilbe

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dwarf Chinese astilbe RHS 2002

Synonyms

Astilbe chinesis 'Pumila'
Astilbe pumila
Astilbe chinensis minima

Award of Garden Merit
Bogs Herbaceous Perennial
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Compact, clump-forming perennial about 25cm in height, with dark green, deeply cut leaves often tinted red, and dense, fluffy spikes of rosy-mauve flowers, produced in late summer

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Clay, Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

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

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing or East–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)
H7

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
Correct
Plant Range
Tibet

How to Grow

Cultivation

Good for moist or boggy situations. Are not suitable for soils that dry out.

Propagation

Propagate by division in late winter or early spring, pot divisions under glass and plant out in late spring.

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Rock garden
  • Patio and container plants
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Cut back after flowering

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews