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BogsHerbaceous Perennial

Astilbe 'Etna' (_japonica_ hybrid)

astilbe 'Etna'

Clump-forming perennial to 60cm with dark red stems and glossy, dark green, divided leaves, flushed dark red in spring. Long, upright, narrow, fairly dense plumes of rich dark red flowers fading to bluish-red, to 30cm long, are produced above the foliage in mid-summer

Synonyms
Astilbe 'Etna' (× _arendsii_)
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Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
2–5 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Clay
Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained
pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Red Green Red
Summer Red Red Green
Autumn Red Green
Winter
Position
  • Partial shade
Aspect

North–facing or West–facing or East–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
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Can cut back after flowering, or delay until spring as faded flower spikes can remain attractive in autumn and winter

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to Powdery mildews and leaf scorch in hot sun

Get involved

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