Plant field guide
Astilbe
Feathery plume-like flowers brighten shady spots. Fern-like foliage is attractive all season.
Growing requirements
- Scientific name
- Astilbe x arendsii
- Sun
- partial shade
- Water
- high
- Height
- 12 in (30 cm) – 48 in (122 cm)
- Spread
- 18 in (46 cm) – 24 in (61 cm)
- Spacing
- Not recorded
- Hardiness zones & minimum temperature
- USDA 4–8; average annual extreme minimum from -30°F (-34.4°C). Hardiness does not predict local frost dates.
- Difficulty
- easy
Planting & seasonal timing
Northern Hemisphere planting months: not yet verified in our database.
Northern Hemisphere pruning months: March.
For the Southern Hemisphere, these seasonal windows shift approximately six months. Check your local frost forecast, soil temperature, and species requirements; calendar months are not a guarantee of planting safety.
Needs consistent moisture. Divide every 3-4 years.
Pruning
Leave dried flower plumes for winter interest. Cut back in early spring before new growth.
Fertilizer
Balanced (10-10-10)
Early spring
Mulch
3 inches of organic mulch to retain moisture.