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Growth Rate
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- Growth Rate: This Astilbe has a moderate growth rate, establishing itself within one to two growing seasons. Once planted, it fills out steadily, forming dense clumps of attractive foliage.
- Mature Growth: At maturity, 'Happy Day' typically reaches a height of 18-24 inches with a similar spread. Its compact size makes it a great choice for borders, woodland gardens, and shaded flower beds.
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Colorful leaves
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Flowering
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Yes |
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Bloom Color
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Disease resistant
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Yes |
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Cold Tolerant
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Yes |
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Heat Tolerant
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No |
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Drought Tolerant
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No |
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Deer Resistant
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Yes |
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Edible
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No |
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Wildlife Attraction
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Astilbe 'Happy Day' attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, making it a wonderful addition to pollinator-friendly gardens. While it’s not a major food source for wildlife, its flowers provide nectar for beneficial insects. |
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Self-pollinating
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Seasonality
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Astilbe 'Happy Day' is a deciduous perennial, meaning it dies back in the winter and re-emerges in the spring. It thrives during the spring and summer, offering long-lasting blooms from late spring into early summer. |
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Ideal For
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– Shade and woodland gardens
– Borders and mass plantings
– Edging in moist, part-shade beds
– Containers (in shaded settings)
– Companion plantings with hostas, ferns, or heucheras |
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Leaf Description
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The foliage of 'Happy Day' is deep green, finely cut, and fern-like in appearance. Its textured, dense leaves form an attractive mound, creating a lush backdrop for the flower plumes. In shaded areas, the foliage remains vibrant and healthy-looking throughout the growing season. |
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Flower Description
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- Flowering Season: This plant produces flowers from late spring through early summer. The blooms last several weeks, with the flower plumes maintaining their form even after the color fades, providing visual interest throughout the summer.
- Flower Description: The flower spikes of Astilbe 'Happy Day' are composed of delicate, fluffy plumes in soft pink hues. Each plume is made up of numerous tiny flowers that create a cloud-like effect when massed together. These flowers stand tall, typically reaching 18-24 inches above the foliage, providing a striking contrast.
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Planting Instructions
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- When to Plant: Plant in the spring or fall, when the temperatures are cooler, to allow the plant to establish before the heat of summer or winter dormancy.
- How to Plant: Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball and deep enough so that the crown is at or just below soil level. Fill the hole with soil, water thoroughly, and mulch around the base to retain moisture.
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Pruning & Maintenance
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Astilbe 'Happy Day' requires minimal pruning. Deadhead the spent flower spikes after blooming to tidy up the plant. Cut the foliage back to the ground in late fall after the leaves have died back to prepare for winter dormancy. |
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Water Needs
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Astilbe 'Happy Day' has medium to high water needs, especially during hot summer months. It prefers consistently moist, well-drained soil. Avoid letting the soil dry out, as Astilbe plants can suffer from leaf scorch in dry conditions. Water deeply and regularly, particularly during periods of drought. |
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Light Needs
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'Happy Day' thrives in partial shade to full shade. It will tolerate morning sun but needs protection from the intense afternoon sun, which can scorch the leaves and reduce flowering. In shadier spots, it will reward you with lush foliage and abundant blooms. |
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Harvesting
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The flower plumes of Astilbe 'Happy Day' can be cut for fresh floral arrangements or dried for use in dried bouquets. For drying, cut the flowers when they are fully open and hang them upside down in a cool, dry place. |
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Fertilizing
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Fertilize in early spring with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer or compost. Reapply a light top-dressing of compost or organic fertilizer in mid-summer to promote healthy foliage and encourage continued blooming. |
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Additional Care Tips
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- Mulching: Add a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch around the base to help retain moisture and keep the roots cool, particularly in sunnier areas.
- Soil: Prefers rich, consistently moist, well-drained soil. It thrives in slightly acidic to neutral soils.
- Disease Resistance: Astilbe is generally resistant to most pests and diseases but may develop leaf scorch in very dry or hot conditions.
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Pollination
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Astilbe 'Happy Day' is pollinated primarily by bees and other insects. The flowers provide a valuable nectar source, but no special pollination care is needed for this plant to thrive. |
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Companion Plants
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– Hosta – bold, broad leaves contrast beautifully with Astilbe’s feathery plumes
– Heuchera (Coral Bells) – offers colorful foliage and similar shade/moisture needs
– Ferns (Dryopteris, Athyrium) – create a lush, woodland texture under dappled light
– Brunnera macrophylla – adds heart-shaped, silver-patterned foliage in early spring
– Pulmonaria (Lungwort) – early spring flowers and attractive spotted leaves complement Astilbe
– Tiarella (Foamflower) – forms a low, flowering carpet beneath taller Astilbe
– Ligularia – dramatic foliage and bright yellow blooms offer bold contrast
– Carex (Sedge) – adds grassy movement and texture in shade borders
– Dicentra (Bleeding Heart) – spring flowers fade as Astilbe begins to bloom, maintaining seasonal interest |
