Cormaic's Garden - Plants

Garden Layout - Plants - Astilbes

Astilbes seem to do relatively well in my garden. Their tolerance of shade makes them ideal for the far end of the garden, which receives little or no direct sunlight because of the Oaks. I have been growing them in pots dotted around the waterfall feature, with one, 'A. pumilla chinensis', planted directly into the soil of the rockery, which is, I have since learned, far too dry for successful growth.
I have 4 varieties at present. The largest, A. gloria purpurea, reaches a height of 300mm, with the pink flower spikes adding another 300mm in late summer. Next in size is A. arendsii bumalda, produces denser foliage than A. gloria purpurea, and has a height of approx 250mm plus 200mm high pinky-red flowers. A. fanal, with deep red flowers, makes it to about 200mm high, with 150mm flower spikes, and finally, the baby of the collection, A. chinensis pumilla, which struggles to a height of 150mm, and has never yet flowered.

A. gloria purpurea flowers in mid-July, and has pale pink flower spikes held above deeply cut, dark bronzey-green and glossy foliage.

Astilbe 'Fanal' is a densely leaved variety, carrying deep pink flowers in August above mid-green foliage.

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