Dwarf Chinese Astilbe

Most gardeners believe all Astilbe need constantly damp soil, and shade, to survive. This isn’t entirely true, because the Dwarf Chinese Astilbe is much more tolerant of sun and dry soil than almost all the others, and also makes a fantastic ground-cover for the edges of your beds. Yes, it will be very happy in shade and lovely moist soil, but it’s surprisingly tough, once established, and will take sun and drier conditions well. It grows into an almost flat mat of dense leaves, more hairy than found on most Astilbe, and it flowers after the others, sending up short, dense spikes of lavender-pink blooms on stiff stems up to 12 inches long. These stay attractive through late summer and into fall, just when your garden probably needs a color boost. Use it as the perfect edging for your shady beds. Grow it near water, or beneath taller shrubs, or on slopes and banks. It soon spreads, without being aggressive, and forms a terrific, weed-proof cover that looks great even when not in bloom. Not just another Astilbe, this special plant deserves to be a garden standard.

• Dense, low mat of divided leaves is great ground cover
• 12-inch spikes of lavender-pink blooms in late summer and fall
• More sun and dry-soil resistant than other Astilbe
• Also grows in shade and wet ground
• The top choice if you find Astilbe hard to grow well – this one is easy

You can grow the Dwarf Chinese Astilbe in full sun in zone 4, but generally it is best with some morning sun and shade the rest of the day. It is more sun-resistant than just about any other Astilbe, but does need watering regularly to get it established. It will also grow in light full shade. Plant it in rich, moist soil, and it will grow in wet ground, but also in areas that are surprisingly dry for Astilbe. Although it takes wet ground, that can’t be stagnant and smelly, but with water movement, such as beside a pond or stream. Should it dry out in summer, don’t worry, it will be back next spring. Deer and rabbits don’t eat it, and it has no pests or diseases of any importance. Cut back the flower stems in late fall, and gather up the leaves if you want. A light covering of rich compost at that time is great for its strength and development.