Early Season Types
Early types start flowering around June and generally finish up sometime in July. German hybrids often fall into this category, though many of those can also be mid-season types.
Pure white ’Avalanche,’ bubblegum pink ‘Mighty Pip,’ and salmon-pink ‘Sprite’ are a few common options, but I’m particularly fond of the following:
Diamant
‘Diamant’ is draped in thick, tall spires of creamy white blossoms that can reach up to 18 inches tall and two feet wide. The plumes last so long that they can extend into the mid-season.
‘Diamant’
You can find bare roots in packets of three, six, or nine, available at Eden Brothers.
Chocolate Shogun
I’d be growing this A. thunbergii hybrid even if it didn’t bloom. The deep chocolate-bronze foliage provides a striking accent in the garden.
Then the panicles emerge with their bright pink buds that open into snowy white blossoms. It’s a contrast that draws all the attention.
‘Chocolate Shogun’
Bring ‘Chocolate Shogun’ to your garden by visiting Nature Hills Nursery to pick up a live plant in a #1 container.
Fanal
Say “hello” to one of the Royal Horticultural Society’s 1993 Award of Garden Merit winners.
‘Fanal’ packs a mighty punch into a petite little package. This dwarf cultivar has tall spires of deep crimson-red flowers atop bronze-green foliage.
‘Fanal’
Whether you have a small spot or you want to create a sweet little border in a shady spot, this astilbe cultivar is ideal. You can find ‘Fanal’ plants available at Burpee.
Younique Pink
When the feathery spires emerge on this A. japonica hybrid, the words “bubblegum” and “Barbie” spring to mind.
‘Younique Pink’ is extremely floriferous with bright pink blossoms that last for weeks before fading to a rich caramel color.
‘Younique Pink’
Short in stature, it makes an extremely striking ground cover when you plant in groups. You can find bare roots available at Burpee.
Mid-Season Types
The mid-season types make up the majority of astilbe cultivars on the market, with popular options such as pink ‘Amethyst,’ salmon-rose ‘Bressingham Beauty,’ dark red ‘Montgomery,’ ruby ‘Red Sentinel,’ and pale pink ‘Straussenfeder.’
Most Japanese hybrids (A. x japonica) and A. thunbergii cultivars fall in this category. Here are just a few of our favorites:
Bridal Veil
Romantic and graceful, ‘Bridal Veil’ looks like it has been draped in gauzy silk when it blooms in midsummer.
This A. arendsii hybrid has long been a favorite for its pyramidal plumes towering over bronze and green foliage that resembles that of a fern.
‘Bridal Veil’
The plumes last for several weeks before fading to caramel brown. ‘Bridal Veil’ snagged the Royal Horticultural Society’s prestigious Award of Garden Merit in 1993.
You can find this cultivar available in #3 containers at Nature Hills Nursery.
Maggie Daley
The narrow, bright lavender-pink plumes of ‘Maggie Daley’ are dense and fuzzy, and this plant tolerates some drought.
The blooms last for an extremely long time.
‘Maggie Daley’
You can find ‘Maggie Daly’ available in #1 containers at Nature Hills Nursery.
Visions
The fragrant raspberry-pink blossoms are a treat, but A. chinensis ‘Visions’ has more to offer than just a floral display.
‘Visions’
The dwarf plant itself is drought tolerant and is heaped in mounds of glossy bronze-green, lacy leaves that are pretty enough to be a foliage ornamental.
You can find ‘Visions’ available at Nature Hills Nursery in #1 containers.
Late Season Types
Chinese hybrids and cultivars (A. chinensis) usually fall into this group.
Pale pink ‘Hyacinth,’ lavender ‘Pumila,’ violet ‘Purple Candle,’ fuchsia ‘Superba’ are a few stand-outs, as are:
Dark Side of the Moon
The show begins even before the flowers emerge. ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ sends out yellow leaves in the spring that transform to deep chocolate bronze.
Then, in the late season, rosy-purple plumes rocket out of the darkness.
‘Dark Side of the Moon’
This hybrid is drought tolerant, though it looks its best with some regular moisture. Head over to Nature Hills Nursery for live plants in #1 containers.
Peach Blossom
The peachy spires of A. japonica ‘Peach Blossom’ pop up in the late season and last for weeks to come.
The feathery spires can be a full 18 inches tall and 24 inches wide in ideal conditions.
The plumes of this hybrid are so dense that they can almost completely conceal the lacy green foliage.
‘Peach Blossom’
Find ‘Peach Blossom’ at Eden Brothers in packs of three, six, or nine bare roots.
Tips to Enhance Flowering
Feel free to go ahead and deadhead your astilbe plants after they bloom, but just don’t expect them to flower again. They won’t rebloom after deadheading.
If you hate the look of the seed heads, you can certainly clean up the plants by cutting the flowering stalks at the base.
I sometimes see it suggested that you cut the plants back to the ground after blooming to encourage them to return with new blossoms. Don’t do this.
The leaves are what provide the nutrients to the roots so that they can develop new flowers the following year.
If you take those leaves away, your plant can’t draw nutrients to store in the roots.