False Spirea (Astilbe × arendsii)

Example of approximately what these plants look like when shipped. See the eighth photograph of any plant to see a photo of what it looks like when shipped.
If you are seeking stunning blossoms for your shade garden, this is the perennial for you. Astilbe is a great plant for color and texture in the shade garden and makes wonderful edging or foreground plantings. Astilbe plants are cultivated as hardy, herbaceous perennials for their large fern-like foliage, and dense, feathery plumes of flowers from mid-June through September. They are rarely eaten by deer and one of the few groundcovers that will grow under walnut trees. Once you've seen their flowers, we're pretty sure you'll want to try every variety we offer.

See photographs comparing average sizes of some bare roots and potted plants
Product
False Spirea (Pink) {Bare Root Plants, min 25}
25 - 99: $6.47 each  |  100 - 999: $6.07 each
(False Goatsbeard) Show-stopping feathery fuchsia blossoms appear like cotton candy on flower spikes (May-July) amidst vibrant saw-toothed foliage. Grows in shade, 18-24".
In stock.
False Spirea (Red) {Bare Root Plants, min 25}
25 - 99: $6.47 each  |  100 - 999: $6.07 each
(False Goatsbeard) Ravishing ruby blossoms appear like flames on flower spikes (May-July) amidst vibrant saw-toothed foliage. Grows in shade, 18-24".
In stock.
False Spirea (White) {Bare Root Plants, min 25}
25 - 99: $6.47 each  |  100 - 999: $6.07 each
(False Goatsbeard) Waves of white blossoms appear like cloudy feathers on flower spikes (May-July) amidst vibrant saw-toothed foliage. Grows in shade, 18-24".
In stock.
False Spirea (Pink) {Bare Root Plants, min 10}
10 - 24: $7.47 each  |  25 - 99: $7.07 each
(False Goatsbeard) Show-stopping feathery fuchsia blossoms appear like cotton candy on flower spikes (May-July) amidst vibrant saw-toothed foliage. Grows in shade, 18-24".
In stock.
False Spirea (Red) {Bare Root Plants, min 10}
10 - 24: $7.47 each  |  25 - 99: $7.07 each
(False Goatsbeard) Ravishing ruby blossoms appear like flames on flower spikes (May-July) amidst vibrant saw-toothed foliage. Grows in shade, 18-24".
In stock.
False Spirea (White) {Bare Root Plants, min 10}
10 - 24: $7.47 each  |  25 - 99: $7.07 each
(False Goatsbeard) Waves of white blossoms appear like cloudy feathers on flower spikes (May-July) amidst vibrant saw-toothed foliage. Grows in shade, 18-24".
In stock.
20% off: False Spirea (Astilbe) Mix, 10 Red, 10 White, & 10 Pink (bare roots)
On Sale!: $179.28
Regularly: $224.10
Save 20% on this package of gorgeously vibrant red, white and pink Astilbe and add intricate foliage and brighten your shady or partly shady area in zones 3-9.
In stock.
20% off Shady White Deer Mix #1: 25 White False Spirea, 25 Lily of the Valley
On Sale!: $224.80
Regularly: $281.00
Save 20% on this popular collection of dramatic white plants that deer tend to avoid. For shade or part shade in zones 5-7/8.
In stock.
25% off Shady White Deer Mix #2: 25 White False Spirea, 25 Monroe White Lilyturf, 25 Lily-of-the-Valley
On Sale!: $358.31
Regularly: $477.75
Save 25% on this package of plants that offer an abundance of white flowers giving brightness and texture as well as elegant blooms to your shady to part-shade location in zones 5-8. Deer tend not to eat these!
In stock.
25% off: False Spirea (Astilbe) Mix, 25 Pink, 25 Red, 25 White (bare roots)
On Sale!: $363.94
Regularly: $485.25
Save 25% on this package of gorgeously vibrant red, white and pink Astilbe and add intricate foliage and brighten your shady or partly shady area in zones 3-9.
In stock.

Specifications


General information about Astilbe (False Spirea):
Hands down, the fernlike foliage and feathery tufts of flowers that Astilbe offers are some of the most delightful textures and colors you will ever find in a perennial shade (or part shade) garden. If you have a water feature, Astilbe will stand tall as a foreground planting amidst other bog perennials.

Like a rooster with his feathers fanned out, the boa-like blossoms are simply breathtaking. We offer red, pink, and white varieties of this herbaceous, butterfly and hummingbird attracting perennial that flowers from June through September. Your garden will explode with the soft, downy texture of vibrant blooms that can be left to dry, giving color and texture throughout the remainder of the season.

With a moderate growth rate and willingness to grow in many soils, Astilbe will reward you most handsomely if you place him in moist, peaty humus-rich soil. You will find Astilbe is perfectly content in a bog habitat, along stream-banks or edging a pond where the flamboyant foliage and flowers reflect beautifully in water.

Astilbe is even willing to grow under trees (yes, even under walnut trees) where it yields the effect of fluffy-frocked fairies dancing about the base of the tree. Astilbe is dormant in winter; deer tend to avoid him, and will eventually spread to clumps almost 2 feet wide.

When planted closely together, you achieve a complete groundcover with wisps of fern-like foliage and downy blossoms. As edging, or foreground plantings, Astilbes will literally become vivid brush-strokes of Renoir-like color across a shaded garden.

Things to Note
For the first year in the ground Astilbe may have only a few blooms.

Astilbe flower heads last longer if they are planted away from the afternoon sun. They tolerate full sun in zones 3-8 if soil is kept moist (the foliage will scorch if plant is in full sun in dry soil).

Deadheading does not induce re-bloom, so leave the fading plumes as long as they have any ornamental interest.

Astilbe tends to brown out during shipment and has to reflush once it is planted. As long as the roots and crowns are not mushy (which could happen if they got cooked during shipment in hot weather) they will be fine.

Interesting Facts
Astilbe species are native to Asia and North America. Some varieties of Astilbe are native to the United States though these are not likely to be a cultivar of the native variety.

Astilbe is often referred to as 'false spirea' because it looks like Aruncus spirea.

Gardener Tips
When transplanting, please understand that growth will be stunted the first year. If planted after late spring you might lose ALL foliage; please rest assured that they they will bounce back with FULL foliage the next year.

When the dried seed heads are no longer attractive they can be removed so that the forest-green ferny foliage with mahogany stems can show itself to best effect.

For gorgeous color, elegant foliage and varied blooming time, try a trio of Astilbe, Creeping Jenny and Hosta.

Alternatively, for a mega-show of blossoms and rich foliage use the trio of Siberian Iris, Coral Bells and Astilbe.



Care
Deadheading does not induce re-bloom, so leave the fading plumes as long as they have any ornamental interest.
General information that applies to all plants:
- Ground preparation, fertilization, pH
- Planting instructions
- Explanation and description of bare roots
- How to plant bare root plants
- If you cannot plant bare roots right away



Shipping
No unusual shipping concerns for this plant.
FREE SHIPPING - Classy Groundcovers offers free shipping, and your plants never spend more than three days in transit.

Precise delivery - another benefit from shopping with us is that you know how many days delivery will take and can control exactly when your order will be shipped.

Shipping information that applies to all plants:
- Transit Time For Your Shipment (at most 3 days)
- When We Ship
- You May Specify Your Shipping Date
- Lookup Shipping Date and Tracking Information
- Special Delivery Instructions
- No Shipments To: AK, AZ, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA or internationally
- Changing Your Shipping Date
- Accepting Delivery
- Unpacking Your Order
- Returns


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