Astilbe
Astilbe thunbergii
Family: Saxifragaceae
What it is like
Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Mid summer. Form: Rounded.
Astilbe thunbergii is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate. See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 0.5
Where it is found
Sunny grassy slopes, C. and S. Japan.
E. Asia - Japan.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Young leaves - cooked. The leaves are a tea substitute.
Tea: the various herb teas that can be used in place of tea, plus the genuine article.
Medicine
Rating: 0
Other
Rating: 3
Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Massing, Woodland garden. Special Features: Attractive foliage. Dynamic accumulator.
Dynamic accumulator: Plants that gather minerals or nutrients from the soil and store them in a more bioavailable form and in high concentration in their tissues. Used as fertilizer or to improve mulch.
How it is grown
Succeeds in a rich garden soil if this stays reliably moist in the summer. Requires a wet or moist peaty soil in sun or partial shade. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 to 7. Prefers partial shade. The plant is found in sunny habitats in the wild. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits.
Propagating it: Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Only just cover the seed. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame until they are at least 20cm tall. Plant them out in the summer, or late in the following autumn. Division in spring. This is best done every 3 - 4 years in order to maintain the vigour of the plant. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whist smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 4-9
Growth: Medium
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: Semi-shade, no shade
Moisture: Moist