Beautify Your Shade Garden with the Top 15 Astilbe Varieties
Are you searching for the perfect flowering perennial to brighten up your shady garden? Look no further than astilbe! This elegant plant offers a wide range of vibrant colors and delicate blooms that can add a touch of beauty to any shaded area.
In this comprehensive guide, we will explore the top 15 astilbe varieties that are sure to make a statement in your garden. From classic cultivars to newer hybrids, there is an astilbe variety to suit every gardener’s preferences.
Why Choose Astilbe for Your Shade Garden?
Astilbe is a versatile and easy-to-grow perennial that thrives in shady areas. Its feathery texture and tall spires of colorful flowers make it a favorite among gardeners looking to add a pop of color to their landscape. With minimal maintenance requirements and the ability to attract pollinators like butterflies and hummingbirds, astilbe is a must-have plant for any shade garden.
15 of the Best Astilbe Varieties
- Bridal Veil
- Hardy in Zones 5-8
- Produces creamy white flowers on glossy green foliage
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Ideal for both sun and partial shade
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Chocolate Shogun
- Hardy in Zones 5-9
- Dark chocolate-colored foliage with lacy pink flower spikes
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Adaptable to partial shade and full sun
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Delft Lace
- Hardy in Zones 4-8
- Blue-green foliage with feathery pink blossoms
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Best grown in partial shade
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Fanal
- Hardy in Zones 3-8
- Deep red flowers with bronze foliage
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Perfect for fall gardens
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Hennie Graafland
- Hardy in Zones 4-9
- Compact size with pale pink flowers
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Best suited for containers
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Maggie Daley
- Hardy in Zones 4-9
- Bright purple flowers with green foliage
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Late-flowering variety
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Peach Blossom
- Hardy in Zones 3-8
- Pale pink flowers with glossy green foliage
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Ideal for early season bloomers
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Pumila
- Hardy in Zones 4-9
- Dwarf variety with pink or purple flowers
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Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit
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Red Sentinel
- Hardy in Zones 4-9
- Bright scarlet flowers in lacy plumes
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Perfect for cutting flower stalks
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Rheinland
- Hardy in Zones 4-8
- Feathery pink blossoms with dark green foliage
- Best grown in full or dappled shade
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Sprite
- Hardy in Zones 4-9
- Coral pink flowers on a dwarf plant
- Ideal for borders and raised beds
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Sister Theresa
- Hardy in Zones 3-9
- Cotton-candy colored plumes with dark-green foliage
- Fast-growing variety
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Straussenfeder
- Hardy in Zones 4-9
- Coral plumes of flowers with dark green foliage
- Known as the ‘Ostrich Feather’ variety
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Visions
- Hardy in Zones 3-8
- Raspberry pink blooms with bronze-green glossy foliage
- Fragrant flowers and midsummer blooming
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Younique
- Hardy in Zones 4-9
- Multiple blossom colors including red, white, and pink
- Disease-resistant and perfect for cut flower arrangements
Growing Tips for Astilbe
- Astilbe prefers shade and moist soil but can tolerate various soil types.
- Divide old plants every three to four years to maintain plant health.
- Astilbe attracts butterflies and hummingbirds while being deer-resistant.
The Star of the Shade Garden
With its stunning blooms and vibrant colors, astilbe is truly the star of the shade garden. Whether you prefer classic cultivars or newer hybrids, there is an astilbe variety for every gardener’s taste. Share your favorite astilbe variety in the comments below and let us know how you’ve incorporated these beautiful plants into your garden!
Looking to learn more about growing astilbes in your garden? Check out these additional resources:
- How to Winterize Astilbe Plants: 5 Easy Steps
- How to Propagate Astilbe Flowers Through Division
- When and How to Fertilize Astilbe
Astilbe is a versatile and elegant plant that can transform any shaded area into a colorful oasis. With a wide range of varieties to choose from, you can easily find the perfect astilbe to suit your gardening needs. Happy planting!