Red Sentinel Astilbe

Astilbe come in a wide range of colors, but when you want a deep, rich red, the plant to watch out for is the Red Sentinel Astilbe. The upright spikes of fluffy flowers rise between 2 and 3 feet tall, and the color is a bold, deep crimson-red. Flowering in early summer, they make a striking addition to the more shady parts of your garden, and continue looking attractive long into the fall, after the flowers fade to beige-brown. The foliage is a great ground-cover, and handsome in its own right. Neatly divided into oval leaflets with prominent serrated edges, new growth in spring is a rich, bronze-red. The leaflets slowly turn to deep green, while the leaf stems stay red. Flowering well even in full shade, and able to grow even in the shade of Black Walnut trees, this is an essential plant for shade gardens and all those darker, damp spots where nothing seems to grow well – don’t worry, Astilbe will. It is also great for planting beside a pond or stream, or for growing in planters for shady parts of your garden.

• Striking deep crimson fluffy flower spikes stand almost 3 feet tall
• The foliage in spring is deep red, turning dark green for summer
• Very easy to grow, and great for shady areas
• best grown in damp soil, and tolerates wet places too
• Will grow near a Black Walnut tree, where most plants fail

The Red Sentinel Astilbe can be planted in full sun in cold zones, but generally partial shade is best, with shelter from the hot afternoon sun. It will also grow in full shade, preferably dappled, such as beneath deciduous trees. It will tolerate deeper shade, but flowering and vigor may be reduced. The soil should be generally damp, and well-drained. It will grow in wetter soils where the water isn’t stagnant, such as beside a stream or lake. If too dry in summer the leaves may shrivel and brown, but usually plants re-sprout normally the following spring. It isn’t eaten by deer or by rabbits, and has no pests or diseases. Very little care is needed, indeed, plants can be left entirely alone and will still grow well. Flower spikes can be left to turn brown – they still look attractive – and trimmed in fall, along with the foliage, which can be chopped a little and left as mulch.