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BogsHerbaceous Perennial

Astilbe simplicifolia 'Pretty in Pink'

A compact, dwarf, clump-forming perennial about 30-40cm tall, with basal rosettes of sharply-toothed, oval rich green leaves, and open, arching loose plumes of two-tone pale- and mid-pink flowers on dark stems to 30cm tall in mid and late summer

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Ultimate height

0.5–1 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

0.5–1 metres

Clay

Loam

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Poorly–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Partial shade

Aspect

East–facing or North–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

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: Unresolved

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in moist or boggy soil in dappled shade, where the soil never dries out and remains moisture-retentive in summer. Drought intolerant, and may be scorched in direct sun. Good for waterside and woodland planting. See Astilbe cultivation

Propagation

Propagate by division in late winter to early spring; replant immediately or pot up and grow on under glass to plant out in late spring when plants are re-established

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Cottage and informal garden
Cut flowers
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Flowering stems can be tidied and cut back when flowers fade, but can also be left for winter interest and wildlife habitat

Pests

May be susceptible to vine weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to leaf spot weather damage and powdery mildews

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