Astilbe Flowers
Name : Astilbe Flowers
Latin Name : Genus: Astilbe, (Astilbe arendsii)
Astilbe Description
Astilbe is a genus of 18 species of perennial, herbaceous flowering plants, belonging to the family Saxifragaceae. Commonly known as False Goat's Beard, Meadowsweet and False Spirea, Astilbe species are native to Asia and North America. The first species which Europe got to know was Bergenia crassifoilia, a Siberian plant with large red blossoms which was first found in 1760.
Astilbes are beautiful, long-blooming plume-like flowers in different shades of white, pink and red, held above airy foliage. They are one of the easiest perennial flowers to grow, yet they give a high return. Astilbes are virtually pest free and they can light up the shade garden.
Astilbes have soft flowers and fern-like foliage and vary in size as well as form. This elegant pyramid-like flower blossoms from March till September and its feathery plumes range in height from under one foot to about four feet. The plant may grow both in shady or sunny area. It prefers partial shade but can handle a full sun if given plenty of water. Astilbes thrive in a rich soil.
Nowadays its cultivars are bred throughout the world and are available in all sorts of eye-catching shades and colours like pink, lavender, burgundy, rose, crimson and white. Astible flowers stay in bloom for several weeks and slowly fade in colour as they dry. Astilbes provide great long-lasting colour for the shade border. They can be used as a nice textural contrast to Hostas. Astilbes also work well in containers. Propagation is usually by seed or division. Astilbe should be divided every 4-5 years in early spring or fall. Astilbes are enchanting flowers that add height and long lasting colour to the garden. They can be left to dry on the stalks and still look beautiful.
As a cut flower the vase life of Astilbe is about 5-7 days and it requires much water. Astilbe is often used as filler in infinite varieties of designs and flower arrangements. Both fresh and dried flowers can be used in arrangements.
Popular varieties of this enchanting flower include ‘Bridal Veil’ (A. arendsii) which is a mid to late season bloomer with full white plumes (Height: 3'), ‘Fanal’ (A. arendsii) which blooms early with blood red flowers on bronze foliage (Height: 1½' - 2½'), ‘Rheinland’ (A. arendsii), this is another early bloomer in a rich pink hue. (Height: 2- 2½'), and ‘Purple Candles' (A. chinensis taquetii) is deep purple and has chenille-like plumes (Height: 3'- 4'). `Purple Lance' is another popular variety of Astilbe with spear-like flowers that rise above the horizontal layers of the garden and help link the shorter plants with the shrubs and trees in the background.
Astilbe Meaning
Astilbes signify the meaning “I Will Be Waiting For You”.
Astilbe Mythology
