Astilbe chinensis 'Lowlands Ruby Red'

– Bees and butterflies are drawn to the airy flower plumes

– Foliage and roots are deer and rabbit resistant due to coarse texture and bitterness

– Spring: Lush foliage emerges

– Summer: Rich red flower plumes from mid-July through August

– Fall: Foliage may turn bronze before dying back

– Winter: Dormant; old stems may persist as winter texture

– Shade gardens – moist borders – woodland settings – perennial beds – cut flower gardens

– Coarsely toothed, deep green, fern-like leaves with a slightly bronzed cast on new growth

– Dense mounding habit

– Creates a finely textured foliage mass even when not in bloom

– Dense ruby-red plumes on sturdy upright stems

– Flowers appear in late summer (July to August), later than most other Astilbe species

– Great for cut flowers, both fresh and dried

– Plumes retain structure for weeks

– Best time to plant: Spring or early fall

– Soil: Prefers moist, rich, humus-laden, slightly acidic soil; mulch heavily to retain moisture and regulate temperature

– Site prep: Work compost or leaf mold into soil before planting

– Spacing: Space 18–24 inches apart for air circulation and full display

– Depth: Plant crown just at or slightly above soil level; avoid burying the crown to prevent rot

– Deadhead spent flower plumes to tidy the appearance or leave them for winter interest

– Cut back entire plant in late fall after foliage yellows or in early spring before new growth

– Requires consistent moisture; never allow soil to dry out

– Ideal for rain gardens, boggy areas, or alongside streams

– Mulch heavily to conserve soil moisture

– Partial shade to full shade

– Can tolerate morning sun if soil is kept consistently moist

– Too much sun can cause leaf scorch or reduce flower size in hot climates

– Cut flower: Harvest stems when plumes are 2/3 open

– Dried arrangements: Hang upside down in a dark, dry place after cutting

– Not edible or medicinal

– Topdress with compost or organic mulch annually in spring

– Optionally feed with a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring, especially in poor soils

– Avoid excess nitrogen, which encourages foliage at the expense of blooms

– Pollinated by bees and flies; flowers are fertile but seed is rarely used for propagation

– Not invasive – spreads slowly via underground rhizomes

– Hosta, Heuchera, Pulmonaria, Ferns, Brunnera, Ligularia, Tiarella

– Shrubs like Hydrangea serrata, Ilex verticillata, or Rhododendron

– Combines well with other moisture-loving shade plants