Astilbe
Never let the soil dry out in the first season — one of the least drought-tolerant border perennials commonly grown.
Care
The classic moisture-loving, woodland-edge perennial.
Genuinely needs consistently moist soil, unlike most border perennials.
Fertile, humus-rich, moisture-retentive soil; struggles in dry or sharply free-draining ground.
Cut back to ground level once foliage has died back in autumn, or leave feathery seedheads for winter interest and cut back in early spring instead.
A balanced feed with a thick compost mulch as growth starts, mostly to hold moisture — an astilbe is limited by water long before it is limited by nutrients, and the mulch does both jobs.
Divide the tough woody crown in early spring, using a spade or an old knife: the roots are dense and will not pull apart by hand. Each piece needs a visible bud to grow away.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchCut back last year's growth before new shoots appear. how ›
- AprilFeed and mulch as growth resumes. how ›
- JuneWater generously and consistently through summer — wilts fast in dry soil. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchCut back last year's growth before new shoots appear. how ›
- AprilFeed and mulch as growth resumes. how ›
- JuneWater generously and consistently through summer — wilts fast in dry soil. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Scorched, crispy leaf edges in dry soil or too much sun.
What to do. Increase watering and shade — the single most common problem.
How to spot it. On young shoots.
What to do. Protect emerging growth.
Popular varieties
Questions
Astilbe: is it hardy?
H7: Fully hardy anywhere in the UK. It survives below −20 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
With vigilant watering, in a large pot that won't dry out quickly.
Astilbe: when do you prune it?
Cut back to ground level once foliage has died back in autumn, or leave feathery seedheads for winter interest and cut back in early spring instead. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in March.
Astilbe: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in June–July.
When do you feed it?
A balanced feed with a thick compost mulch as growth starts, mostly to hold moisture — an astilbe is limited by water long before it is limited by nutrients, and the mulch does both jobs. Feeding months, UK: April.