The feathery plumes of fuss-free astilbes will have you reaching out your hand to run your fingers through their frilly foliage.
Commonly known as false goat’s beard, an astilbe is the perfect choice to add height, texture, and colour to a tricky damp or shady spot in the garden. What’s more, they love clay soil which makes them perfect for many Scottish gardens and woodland planting schemes!
The flowery spikes bloom in pastel shades of pink, purple, red, and white, held on upright stems which can reach from 30cm (1ft) up to 120cm (4ft) tall with no need for staking.
Popular varieties which will perform well in our climate include Astilbe ‘Fanal,’ ‘Bridal Veil,’ ‘Sprite,’ and ‘Vision in Red.’
Most astilbe varieties are fully hardy in Scotland’s climate, flowering from July to October. In colder regions or during severe winters though, it is a good idea to provide some winter protection for their crowns. After the first frost, you can add a layer of mulch around the plants to insulate the soil and protect the roots.
Astilbes benefit from division every few years to maintain their vigour. Dig up and divide the plants in early spring or late autumn when they are dormant. Separate the clumps into smaller sections, each with healthy roots and shoots, then replant them at the appropriate depth in prepared soil.
Varieties to try with leaf interest
‘Vision in White’ produces dense blooms of white flowers reaching 45cm high, above neat mounds of blue-green leaves.
‘Bressingham Beauty’ has vivid, pink flowers set off by bronze-tinted leaves.
‘Red Sentinel’ has leaves tinged with dark red in spring before turning dark green and producing crimson blooms.
‘Rheinland’ is a more compact variety, with dark green and bronze leaves which throws up masses of light pink flowers.
Astilbes do not need deadheading but you can dry the feathery plumes to use in winter table arrangements or wreaths. Just cut a few stems on a dry day, bunch them together and tie, then hang upside down in a warm, airy, dark room to dry over 3-6 weeks. They look fabulously seasonal sprayed with a little silver or gold spray at Christmastime