Prefers semi-shaded sites, will tolerate more light if the soil is kept moist. I have a group of Astillbe in a 1/2 to 3/4 day sunny spot for over 10 years and they are a show stoppers when blooming. To achieve this they are growing in a bed that is raised a few inches and the soil is naturally constantly wet
Moisture
average
Soil & Site
Needs rich, humusy moist well-drained soils. Plants growing in dry conditions will be small, few blooms and tend to dry up during the hotter days in the summer.
Flowers
red, mid June-third week in July
Leaves
dark green, ternately compound, leaflets are coarsely serrated, foliage is an attractive feature of the plant
Dimensions
24 inches tall
Maintenance
Division of the clumps every 2-3 years will help to maintain the vigor of the plant. Astilbe are heavy feeders and need to be fertilized every year in the spring and also in the early fall. Some of my Astilbe tend to heave in the winter. In the spring I cover the exposed roots with soil, mulch or dug them in. Be careful since many Astilbe are easily pulled out of the soil
Propagation
division
Author's Notes
The main factors to get maximum performance, are proper soil moisture, division and fertilizing.
Notes & Reference
#04-Herbaceous Perennial Plants (Allan Armitage), #40-Herbaceous Ornamental Plants (Steven Stills),#54-The Well Tended Garden (DiSabato-Aust), #167-Boerner Botanical Gardens (Wisconsin USA) data base)