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

1. Bridal Veil
2. Hardy in Zones 5-8
3. Produces creamy white flowers on glossy green foliage

4. Ideal for both sun and partial shade

5. Chocolate Shogun

6. Hardy in Zones 5-9
7. Dark chocolate-colored foliage with lacy pink flower spikes

8. Adaptable to partial shade and full sun

9. Delft Lace

10. Hardy in Zones 4-8
11. Blue-green foliage with feathery pink blossoms

12. Best grown in partial shade

13. Fanal

14. Hardy in Zones 3-8
15. Deep red flowers with bronze foliage

16. Perfect for fall gardens

17. Hennie Graafland

18. Hardy in Zones 4-9
19. Compact size with pale pink flowers

20. Best suited for containers

21. Maggie Daley

22. Hardy in Zones 4-9
23. Bright purple flowers with green foliage

24. Late-flowering variety

25. Peach Blossom

26. Hardy in Zones 3-8
27. Pale pink flowers with glossy green foliage

28. Ideal for early season bloomers

29. Pumila

30. Hardy in Zones 4-9
31. Dwarf variety with pink or purple flowers

32. Winner of the RHS Award of Garden Merit

33. Red Sentinel

34. Hardy in Zones 4-9
35. Bright scarlet flowers in lacy plumes

36. Perfect for cutting flower stalks

37. Rheinland

    • Hardy in Zones 4-8
    • Feathery pink blossoms with dark green foliage
    • Best grown in full or dappled shade

38. Sprite

    • Hardy in Zones 4-9
    • Coral pink flowers on a dwarf plant
    • Ideal for borders and raised beds

39. Sister Theresa

    • Hardy in Zones 3-9
    • Cotton-candy colored plumes with dark-green foliage
    • Fast-growing variety

40. Straussenfeder

    • Hardy in Zones 4-9
    • Coral plumes of flowers with dark green foliage
    • Known as the ‘Ostrich Feather’ variety

41. Visions

    • Hardy in Zones 3-8
    • Raspberry pink blooms with bronze-green glossy foliage
    • Fragrant flowers and midsummer blooming

42. 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!