Grow Great Astilbe in Your Home Garden

The perennial astilbe is a staple in many flower gardens. It is easy to grow and will add color to a shady spot in your yard. Here are some tips to help you grow great astilbe in your home flower garden.

The astilbe plant will grow best in temperature zones 3 through 9. It will grow 8 inches to 5 feet in height, depending on the species you choose to grow in your flower garden. It grows in clumps of upright or cascading flower stalks. The colors of the flowers are red, magenta, rose, pink, lavender, lilac, cream, or white. The leaves are green or may have a reddish tint. The flowers will appear in the lat spring or summer months. Depending on the species, the light needs of astilbe range from full sun to deep shade. The soil should be average and moist but well drained.

The species of astilbe that will grow in deep shade are a perfect plant to grow in those moist and shady portions of your yard. The plants will live for many years with very little maintenance. They do well in beds planted along side ferns, irises and other plants that also need extra moisture. Planting astilbe around a water garden will help get the plants the moisture they crave and add color to your garden pond.

The flowers of the astilbe are densely packed masses of tiny flowers. The shape of the cluster of blooms will vary depending on the species you choose to grow. There are some that are stiff and upright. And, there are others that have open plumes. Still others have blooms that will cascade outward from the plant stalk. The leaves are similar to leaves of the fern plant. In the spring months, some varieties of astilbe will have a coppery or reddish shade to their leaves.

The blooms of the astilbe plant will make a wonderful addition to any fresh flower arrangement. Be sure to snip them during the summer months when the plants are the strongest. Do not take all the blooms. You will want to leave some outside to enjoy in your flower beds.

Astilbe plants are an easy way to get some color into parts of your yard that may otherwise be impossible to have other types of flowering plants. They are low maintenance and easily obtainable at your local nursery or garden store. Hopefully these tips will help you grow beautiful astilbe in your home flower garden, bed or border for you and your family to enjoy.