Diamonds & Pearls Astilbe

Smart gardeners know that the Chinese astilbe is more drought and sun tolerant than other types, but until now we only had a handful of varieties, all of them in shades of pink. Now, with the arrival of the Diamonds and Pearls Astilbe, we have the very first Chinese astilbe with pure-white flowers – a real breakthrough, and a great treat for everyone. This superb perennial forms a dense clump of ferny dark-green leaves about 15 inches tall, spreading over 2 feet across. From this, in the second half of summer, full plumes of sparkling, pearly-white flower spikes rise up, about 2 ½ feet tall. These last for weeks, fading to cream by fall but still looking handsome. With its enhanced durability, this is the choice you want for a ‘less than perfect’ spot where an astilbe is just what you need. Plant it among hostas and ferns, and in the sunnier edges of those beds, as a great transition into the sunny parts of your garden. It’s a terrific choice for planters, too, looking great and taking the rough and tumble of ordinary garden conditions with ease.

• Bold mound of dark-green leaves makes a real statement
• Tall spikes of pearly-white flowers bring beauty to the second half of summer
• Adaptable to sun and shade, versatile throughout your garden
• More drought tolerant than regular Astilbe plants, so less scorching
• Grows well in cold zones, and in regular garden conditions

The Diamonds and Pearls Astilbe grows happily even in zone 3, and has enhanced tolerance for sun, growing in full sun, partial sun and light full shade as well. It tolerates drier soil than other astilbe do, so is much less likely to scorch and burn if the soil becomes too dry – new plants still need plenty of water, though, until established. Grow it in any rich, well-drained soil, and it will grow in wet soil too, as long as the water is flowing, such as beside a stream. Deer don’t eat it and this plant really doesn’t have any pest or disease problems. Just cut back the foliage and dead flowers in late fall and that’s it for another year – a very easy plant, and just what you want if you have had failures with astilbe in the past.