Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
BogsHerbaceous Perennial

Astilbe 'Snowdrift' (× _arendsii_)

astilbe 'Snowdrift'

Clump-forming perennial about 60cm tall, with glossy, mid-green, finely-divided leaves, and producing upright plumes of clear white flowers in the first half of summer

Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.5–1 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer White Green
Autumn Green
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

East–facing or West–facing or North–facing

Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H7
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

Accepted

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist but well-drained or boggy soil in dappled shade, or in indirect sun where the soil remains moisture-retentive in summer. Drought intolerant, may be damaged in hot sun. Good for waterside planting. See Astilbe cultivation

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

Cut back stems and foliage before growth commences in spring

Pests

Generally pest-free but may be susceptible to vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.