Astilbe: varieties and types with photos and names

Content

1 What types of astilbes are there?
2 Types of astilbe with photos and names
3 The best varieties of astilbe
4 Some tips for choosing a variety
5 Conclusion

Varieties and types of astilbe with photos and names should be studied by all keen gardeners. There are several hundred varieties of perennials in total, but the best can be distinguished from this variety.

What types of astilbes are there?

Astilbe is an extremely popular perennial in landscape design. To date, over 300 varieties of plants have been bred.

First of all, it is customary to distinguish 8 main types, namely, astilbe:

Japanese;
Korean;
Chinese;
simple leaf;
naked;
Thunberg;
David;
Arends.

All plants that can be bought in nurseries and stores belong to one of these species or are hybrids.

There are several classifications of plants

It is customary to classify astilbe according to other characteristics:

in height, from tall to dwarf;
according to flowering time, from June to the end of August;
According to the type of inflorescences, they are pyramidal, paniculate, rhombic and drooping.

To successfully choose astilbe for the garden, it is worth familiarizing yourself in more detail with all the varietal diversity.

Types of astilbe with photos and names

All astilbes belong to one of the basic species or are bred on their basis. Due to this, there are common features between individual varieties.

Chinese

A perennial plant of medium height can reach only about 60 cm. It prefers moist, shaded places, bears panicle flowers, mostly pink in color, the leaves of the plant are green and bright. Flowering usually occurs in July or early August.

Chinese species - medium-sized plant

Astilbe Thunberg

The species is quite rare. It is a medium-sized, rather tall perennial about 80 cm with simple straight stems. The leaves of the species are standard pinnate, with teeth along the edges, and green in color.

Astilbe Thunberg blooms in white, lilac or pink shades; individual flowers are collected in lush racemes up to 25 cm long. The brushes can reach 10 cm in width. Maximum decorativeness occurs towards the end of July.

Astilbe Thunberga - tall species with late flowering

Korean

The height is about 60 cm, the stem is covered with dark small hairs, the leaves are green and light. The flowering of the species is creamy-white, the inflorescences are of a slightly drooping type, about 25 cm long. Flowering begins in July and lasts 2-3 weeks.

The Korean species blooms with creamy white drooping panicles

Naked

Naked, or smooth astilbe, is a low plant. Even with blossoming inflorescences, it usually rises no higher than 30 cm above the ground. Outside of flowering, the height is only 12 cm. You can recognize the species by its dark green foliage and pale pink sparse panicles of inflorescences.

It grows mainly in shade and high humidity, and flowering occurs in July-August.

Naked astilbe - a low-growing species about 30 cm

Astilbe Arends

This species is very popular in breeding; many varieties and hybrids have been bred on its basis. It is usually a medium to tall perennial from 60 to 100 cm in height, with a spreading shrub form and feathery green leaves.

Astilbe Arends is the most popular species in breeding

It blooms in thick fluffy clusters of all possible shades, depending on the specific plant. The inflorescences are apical, lush, flowering occurs in July-August.

Japanese

The species reaches about 60 cm in height and width. It has feathery leaves of a dark green hue, the leaves are shiny, the shade of the inflorescence depends on the variety and can be white, red or pink. The species blooms in July and August.

The Japanese species can bloom in any shade in accordance with the variety

Astilbe David

A fairly tall plant, up to 1.5 in height, with a spreading bush and feathery leaves of light green color.

It blooms with small pink-lilac flowers formed in pyramidal inflorescences up to 40 cm long. Flowering lasts about 2 weeks, and occurs in July and August.

David's astilbe is not widespread, but is used in breeding

Simpleleaf

Not very common, but valuable, this species is a perennial plant with bright green, toothed leaf blades. In size it reaches 50 cm in height and diameter, blooms with dense panicles of a pyramidal or drooping shape, usually in August. The color can be pink, white or red.

The simple-leaved species produces pyramidal or drooping racemes

The best varieties of astilbe

The varietal diversity is very wide. The best varieties can be distinguished by color, flowering time and other characteristics.

What colors does astilbe come in?

Astilbes can be divided into groups according to color. The perennial bears inflorescences in white, red, purple, pink or lilac shades.

Varieties of red astilbe

Red varieties are popular because they look most impressive on the site. Among the red astilbes there are plants with bright red, crimson, crimson and purple flowering:

Pomegranate. The fast-growing bush rises 80 cm above the ground and produces purple-red, pyramid-shaped inflorescences during the flowering period in July-August. The leaves are rich green, the inflorescences are dense and often located.
Pomegranate is a very rich red variety.
Vesuvius. The bush has an average height, up to 60 cm. During the flowering period in late July and early August, it produces dark red-burgundy paniculate inflorescences about 10 cm long. The foliage of the perennial is dark green.
Vesuvius is distinguished by its burgundy-red color.
Unique Ruby Red. Belongs to the category of low, the stems rise about 50 cm. The leaves are dark green throughout the season, flowering begins in July, Unique Ruby Red produces dense red inflorescences.
Unique Ruby Red bears red flowers with a hint of crimson

Advice! If desired, you can form a flower garden with a smooth transition of shades from different red varieties.

Varieties of pink astilbe

Pink plants are suitable for forming flower beds in soft and delicate colors. They go well with other light-colored perennials, but can also act as an accent spot on a dark background:

Pink Lightning. The plant is classified as low-growing and usually does not exceed 40 cm in height. The leaves are green with a slight bronze tint, the drooping inflorescences are light pink, and the variety blooms in August.
Pink Lightning features delicate pink blooms
Straussenfeder. A medium-sized perennial up to 80 cm tall, it has large dark green leaves and coral-pink drooping inflorescences. It blooms late, closer to August.
Straussenfeder has a beautiful coral pink color

Pink plants prefer shaded areas, but tolerate sunlight better than dark varieties.

Astilbe varieties with white flowers

White astilbes are a frequent choice of gardeners. Among the most common are:

White Wings;
WhiteWings - white variety with a slightly noticeable shade of pink
Washington;
Washington - pure white variety
Deutschland.
Deutschland - a popular white variety

The requirements for white bushes are the same as for others - the plants prefer shade and humidity.

Astilbe varieties with lilac and purple inflorescences

An interesting decorative option for decorating a site is lilac or purple astilbe.Depending on the shade, the plant can act as a light or dark accent in an artistic composition:

America. When mature, the bush reaches 80 cm in height and is quite spreading. The leaves are green, with carved edges, the inflorescences are panicles of a soft lilac color. Flowering lasts 2-4 weeks and occurs from the end of July.
America - a popular lilac look
Siegfried. It rises 60-90 cm in height above the ground, has brown-green pinnate foliage. The inflorescences are paniculate, of medium density, purple-violet in color. Flowering occurs from mid-July.
Siegfried - a species with a purple tint

When planting, lilac and purple bushes can be combined with each other, creating interesting compositions.

Is there blue and blue astilbe?

Sometimes on the Internet you can find photographs of blue or bright blue astilbe. However, in this case we are talking about color processing. In reality, the plant does not produce flowers of blue and blue shades; even purple varieties are much closer to red.

Blue and bright blue astilbe - the result of photo processing

Varieties of astilbe with leaves of unusual color

Some plants are valued not only for their beautiful flowering, but also for the decorative colors of their leaves:

Deft Lace. In July, a variety up to 80 cm in height produces pyramidal inflorescences with a pink tint. But Deft Lace is valued for the color of its leaves: in the spring their color is purple, in the summer they become bright green, and by autumn they change color to slightly bluish.
Even at the beginning of summer, a burgundy tint is still visible on the leaves of Deft Lace
Color Flash Lime. The plant, growing up to 60 cm, has erect pink inflorescences, but is also distinguished by unusual leaves.In spring they are yellow, and in summer they become light green, with a golden tint and reddish edges.
Color Flash Lime pleases the eye with golden-yellow-green foliage

Important! The listed plants remain highly decorative until late autumn, even if they fade by September.

High varieties of astilbe

Tall bushes are often used to form the background of flower beds. Astilbes are considered tall if they rise above the ground 90 cm or higher:

Red Charm. The perennial is 100 cm or more in height and has shiny green leaves. The variety blooms red with a slight pink tint, slightly drooping, begins in July and lasts about a month.
Red Charm is over a meter in height
Rose Perle. During the flowering period, the plant rises to 90 cm and higher, and in July bears lush pale pink drooping panicles. In spring, the bush is distinguished by especially bright, light green decorative leaves.
Rosa Perle rises above 90 cm

Attention! You can use tall bushes not only in flower beds, but also to enliven the space near fences.

Medium-sized varieties of astilbe

Medium-height perennials rise 50-80 cm above the ground. They are used to decorate flower beds and flower beds, to create a foreground hedge:

Gloria Purpurea. The plant rises 70 cm in height and is distinguished by dark leaves and voluminous rhombic inflorescences. The flowering of the variety is raspberry-pink, lush and dense, and astilbe blooms already in June.
Gloria Purpurea - medium-growing variety
Cattleya. It rises 80 cm from the ground and blooms for a month with paniculate purple-pink inflorescences. The flowering period occurs at the end of July and lasts about 30 days.The leaves of the perennial are rich green.
Cattleya is a medium-height pink perennial

Advice! Medium-sized astilbe can be used to form an independent hedge that divides the garden into separate sections.

Varieties of dwarf astilbe

Varieties that do not exceed 50 cm are considered low-growing. Among their diversity, it is interesting to get acquainted with the dwarf varieties:

Sprite. The height of the dark green leaves of the tiny plant does not exceed 15 cm, and during the flowering period the perennial rises to 30 cm. It bears light pink panicles in early August, with drooping inflorescences.
Outside of flowering, Sprite rises only 12 cm
Crispa Perkeo. The compact perennial is about 20 cm in height and begins to bloom in July with small salmon-pink flowers collected in fluffy inflorescences. The leaves are hard and lacy.
Crispa Perkeo - a popular dwarf species

Dwarf plants look organic in flower beds; they are used to decorate rock gardens and rock gardens.

The best varieties of astilbe by flowering time

All astilbes bloom exclusively in summer. However, they are divided into groups depending on specific deadlines.

Early varieties of astilbe

Early varieties are considered to be those that bloom in June and early July:

Purple Rain. The low-growing variety grows to a maximum of 50 cm and has small light green leaves. The inflorescences of the variety are paniculate, up to 12 cm in length, and the flowers are purple-violet. The flowering period begins at the end of June and lasts about 40 days.
Violet Purple Rain blooms in late June
Brautschleier. This variety is distinguished by loose but very elegant pyramidal inflorescences of white and pink color, about 30 cm long.The variety blooms in early July and remains decorative for about 3 weeks.
Brautschleier blooms in June, which is early for astilbe

When forming a flower garden, you can combine plants of early and late flowering periods.

Late varieties of astilbe

Late varieties are valued in landscape design for adding bright colors to garden design, when most perennials have already finished flowering:

Henny Grafland. The variety grows up to 70 cm, blooms with long thin panicles up to 40 cm in length. The flowering color of the variety is pale pink; flowers bloom in late August, and flowering continues for about 40 days.
Henny Grafland blooms in August and remains decorative in early September
Inshriah Pink. Low, up to 40 cm, astilbe has glossy dark green leaves with a bronze tint. The flowers of the plant are light pink, diamond-shaped and drooping, and the flowering period occurs in August and lasts a month.
Inshriah Pink blooms in August, closer to autumn

Late astilbe is good to plant in flower beds, where some perennials fade in mid-summer. In this case, astilbe will help maintain decorativeness until autumn.

Astilbe varieties with a pleasant aroma

Astilbes in the garden are valued for their external decorative effect. But some of them have a pleasant smell:

Peach Blossom. The perennial plant reaches 80 cm in height and bears pale pink vertical inflorescences in August. The perennial leaves are dark green, with reddish petioles, and the variety exudes a pleasant sweet aroma.
Peach Blossom gives off a sweet scent
Milk & Honey. The plant grows up to 1 m and bears creamy pink pyramidal inflorescences.The variety blooms in August and is valued not only for its flowers, but also for its elegant openwork leaves and strong honey aroma.
Milk and Honey - a good honey plant with a pronounced sweet aroma

Astilbe honey plants are used to attract pollinating insects if there are fruit trees and shrubs in the garden.

Astilbe varieties for sunny places

Any variety of astilbe grows better and blooms more luxuriantly in the shade. But some varieties take root in illuminated areas. In this case, the flowering is even more magnificent, but it also ends faster:

Weiss Pearl. The medium-sized plant reaches 80 cm during the flowering period and bears paniculate, loose inflorescences of white and pink color. It blooms in mid-July and can remain decorative in bright areas of the garden.
Weiss Pearl feels good in illuminated areas
Bergcrystal. Tall astilbe reaches up to 120 cm, blooms with yellowish-white panicles up to 18 cm long in mid-July. The variety feels good in the sun, but it is better to cover it from direct hot rays.
Bergcrystal is another species that can grow in bright light

Attention! Even sun-tolerant plant varieties in sunny areas can remain beautiful only if there is good moisture.

Hybrid varieties of astilbe

Hybrid varieties are obtained by crossing two varieties from the main groups. Such varieties inherit the characteristic features of their predecessors:

Fanal. A hybrid variety from the Arends group was bred on the basis of Japanese, Chinese, David and Thunberg astilbe. Reaches 60 cm in height, has crimson-red inflorescences up to 25 cm. Flowering begins in July and lasts 2-3 weeks.
The mixed hybrid has a very rich color
Erika. The Astilbe Thunberg hybrid was also bred by Arends and reaches 90 cm in height. It is distinguished by leaves with a slight reddish tint, rhombic-shaped inflorescences, light pink. Flowers bloom in mid-July and last for about 2 weeks.
Erika's diamond-shaped inflorescences bloom in mid-summer

Hybrids can boast not only of high decorative value, but also modest requirements for growing conditions.

Astilbe varieties for regions

When choosing a variety, you need to consider where exactly it will grow. For the middle zone and northern regions, you need to choose different varieties, since in the conditions of the Urals and Siberia, heat-loving astilbes may die.

The best varieties of astilbe for the Moscow region and the middle zone

Almost all varieties can be grown in the middle zone and the Moscow region. Winter temperatures here rarely fall below -30 °C, and such marks do not pose a threat to most varieties:

Ruby. A medium-sized perennial up to 80 cm tall produces large ruby panicles up to 9 cm in diameter. The variety blooms from July and almost all of August; it is very suitable for the Moscow region, as it is designed for temperatures up to - 30 ° C.
Ruby is a popular variety in the middle zone
Brunhilde. Light pink astilbe grows up to 80 cm and blooms with lush panicles in July and August. The inflorescences of the variety are tall, up to 40 cm long; due to winter hardiness, the species can tolerate frosts down to -30 °C.
Brunhilde is in demand in the Moscow region

Even return frosts in the middle zone do not harm perennials, since the crop blooms in the summer.

Astilbe varieties with photos for Siberia and the Urals

For cultivation in the northern regions, it is better to select varieties with maximum winter hardiness:

Hart and Soul. A low variety up to 55 cm produces soft pink flowering panicles in the second half of summer. The variety is characterized by fast growth and unpretentiousness; with good care it can tolerate temperatures down to -35 °C.
Hart & Soul - a plant with good winter hardiness
Spartan. An unpretentious medium-sized variety about 80 cm blooms with burgundy-red inflorescences. Flowers bloom in August, the variety is characterized by increased winter hardiness and is grown even in the mountainous regions of Scandinavia.
Spartan can grow even in Siberia, but the plant still needs to be covered

When growing astilbe in the Urals and Siberia, it is necessary to take care of winter shelter. Even cold-hardy varieties can suffer from extreme cold temperatures.

New varieties of astilbe

The most famous ornamental varieties were bred in the middle and end of the last century. But in recent years, breeders have also pleased fans with new products:

Mighty Chocolate Cherry. One of the hybrid varieties was introduced in 2016. Distinctive features of the new product are its height of 120 cm, velvety cherry blossoms in mid-summer and beautiful leaves that acquire a chocolate hue by autumn.
Mighty Chocolate Cherry is one of the best new products of recent years
Moulin rouge. The miniature plant was introduced in 2018; it rises only 20 cm in height. It produces dark pink inflorescences at the end of July, dense and pyramidal in shape. The leaves have a bronze tint in spring.
Moulin Rouge - fresh variety of 2018

In terms of requirements, new plants usually differ little from their predecessors, but in appearance they have unique features.

The most beautiful varieties of astilbe

Among the most beloved species by gardeners are the following:

Amethyst. Pale lilac astilbe rises 1 m above the ground and bears bright lush panicle inflorescences in mid-July. In the area, Amethyst blooms very well in the shade and gives the impression of lightness, airiness and grace.
Gardeners love Amethyst for its deep shade.
Unique Carmin. A popular hybrid plant with bright burgundy inflorescences blooms at the end of June. The height of the plant is only about 40 cm, but thanks to its colors it always attracts attention in the garden.
Unique Carmine is always a bright spot in the garden

The beauty of a species is a subjective concept, and each gardener's personal rating will differ from others.

Some tips for choosing a variety

When choosing astilbe, you need to first evaluate the color of the plant. It is recommended to decide in advance where it will grow and what perennials will be located in the neighborhood. This will allow you to create a flowerbed that is harmonious in terms of color scheme.

You need to pay attention to the height of the plant. If you plant tall astilbe in the foreground of a flower garden, it will cover other plants. Low-growing perennials are not suitable for forming a background.

When choosing a plant, you need to immediately plan where it will grow.

It is important to select astilbe according to flowering time. It depends on the neighbors of the plant whether to give preference to an early or late variety. The best option for a garden remains continuous flowering beds, where perennials bloom alternately.

Conclusion

Varieties and types of astilbe with photos and names are a very fascinating topic to study. The plant can decorate any corner of the garden if you choose it taking into account the height, shade of inflorescences and flowering time.