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Choosing astilbes: tall forms

As long as you have damp soil and plenty of space, the taller astilbes (more than 60cm/2ft tall) are a great choice, putting on striking displays. Varied in flower and foliage colour, some have arching plumes, others are more arrow-like. 

Practical tips

A lightly shaded spot, in soil that doesn’t dry out in summer, is ideal for astilbes

Before planting, enrich the soil by digging in plenty of organic matter, such as well-rotted manure or home-made garden compost. Spread a 7.5–10cm (3–4in) thick layer over the planting area, then dig it in down to a spade’s depth. This will encourage the roots outward

White flowers

Astilbe rivularis
Astilbe rivularis
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> <em>rivularis</em>
Astilbe 'Professor van der Wielen' (_thunbergii_ hybrid)
Astilbe 'Professor van der Wielen' (_thunbergii_ hybrid)
  • 1–1.5 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Professor van der Wielen' (_thunbergii_ hybrid)
Astilbe 'Brautschleier' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe 'Brautschleier' (× _arendsii_)
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Brautschleier' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe 'Diamant' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe 'Diamant' (× _arendsii_)
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Diamant' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe 'Bumalda' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe 'Bumalda' (× _arendsii_)
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Bumalda' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe 'Washington' (_japonica_ hybrid)
Astilbe 'Washington' (_japonica_ hybrid)
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Washington' (_japonica_ hybrid)
Astilbe chinensis 'Vision in White'
Astilbe chinensis 'Vision in White'
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> <em>chinensis</em> 'Vision in White'
Astilbe chinensis 'Milk and Honey'PBR
Astilbe chinensis 'Milk and Honey'PBR
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> <em>chinensis</em> 'Milk and Honey'<sup>PBR</sup>

Pale pink flowers

Astilbe 'Amethyst' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe 'Amethyst' (× _arendsii_)
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Amethyst' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe chinensis 'Vision in Pink'PBR
Astilbe chinensis 'Vision in Pink'PBR
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> <em>chinensis</em> 'Vision in Pink'<sup>PBR</sup>
Astilbe 'Walter Bitner'
Astilbe 'Walter Bitner'
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Walter Bitner'
Astilbe 'Bressingham Beauty' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe 'Bressingham Beauty' (× _arendsii_)
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Bressingham Beauty' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe 'Straussenfeder' (_thunbergii_ hybrid)
Astilbe 'Straussenfeder' (_thunbergii_ hybrid)
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Straussenfeder' (_thunbergii_ hybrid)
Astilbe 'Venus' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe 'Venus' (× _arendsii_)
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Venus' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe chinensis var. davidii
Astilbe chinensis var. davidii
  • 1.5–2.5 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> <em>chinensis</em> var. <em>davidii</em>
Astilbe 'Betsy Cuperus' (_thunbergii_ hybrid)
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Betsy Cuperus' (_thunbergii_ hybrid)
Astilbe 'Heart and Soul'PBR
Astilbe 'Heart and Soul'PBR
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Heart and Soul'<sup>PBR</sup>

Dark pink to red flowers

Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii 'Purpurlanze'
Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii 'Purpurlanze'
  • 1–1.5 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> <em>chinensis</em> var. <em>taquetii</em> 'Purpurlanze'
Astilbe 'Federsee' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe 'Federsee' (× _arendsii_)
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Federsee' (× _arendsii_)
Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii 'Superba'
Astilbe chinensis var. taquetii 'Superba'
  • 1–1.5 metres
  • 0.1–0.5 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> <em>chinensis</em> var. <em>taquetii</em> 'Superba'
Astilbe 'Red Sentinel' (_japonica_ hybrid)
Astilbe 'Red Sentinel' (_japonica_ hybrid)
  • 0.5–1 metres
  • 0.5–1 metres
<em>Astilbe</em> 'Red Sentinel' (_japonica_ hybrid)

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