Astilbe

The foliage of Astilbe is a quiet star, often divided and lobed, elegant, some bronzing when emerging, to others colouring beautifully in autumn. The pyramidal heads of flowers, can be stiffly upright and congested with small flowers, through to long arching stems, with flowers well spaced. Colours range from white through to utterly vivid pinks and reds. Grown best in a moisture-retentive soil and look at home next to water.

The small but massed flowers of astilbe are an excellent source of nectar for pollinators. In our gardens these are mostly bees and butterflies, but in parts of their native range they also include hummingbirds. Sadly we do not have these to cater for in the UK!