Astilbe chinensis 'Lowlands White'

– Attracts bees, small butterflies, and other pollinators

– Foliage and flowers are deer and rabbit resistant

– Spring: Foliage emerges, often with bronze or reddish tint

– Summer: Blooms from late July into August, later than many other species

– Fall: Foliage yellows, then dies back

– Winter: Dormant; plumes can be left for texture or removed

– Shady beds – woodland borders – waterside plantings – cottage gardens – cut flowers

– Coarse, deeply cut, fern-like green foliage

– Dense, basal mound; adds texture to shade gardens even when not in bloom

– May have reddish tint on emerging spring leaves

– Upright, dense plumes of creamy white to soft ivory flowers

– Held on tall, sturdy reddish-green stems

– Blooms in mid to late summer, providing contrast to earlier-blooming Astilbes

– Excellent as a cut flower, and can be dried for arrangements

– Best time to plant: Early spring or early fall when soil is cool and moist

– Soil: Prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic to neutral

– Site prep: Work in compost, peat moss, or leaf mold to increase organic matter

– Spacing: Space 18–24 inches apart to allow full foliage spread and good air circulation

– Planting depth: Plant with crown just at soil level, avoiding deep planting

– Deadhead spent blooms if desired to keep appearance tidy

– Cut back entire plant to the base in late fall or early spring to clear dead foliage

– Spent plumes can also be left standing for winter texture

– Requires consistently moist soil—not drought tolerant

– Water deeply 1–2 times per week during dry periods

– Ideal for wet borders, rain gardens, and pond edges

– Part shade to full shade

– Will tolerate morning sun, especially in cooler climates, provided it receives adequate moisture

– Avoid hot, dry, full sun sites

– Excellent cut flower: harvest when 1/2–2/3 of flowers on the plume are open

– For drying, cut when just opening and hang upside down in a dark, ventilated space

– Not used for culinary or herbal purposes

– Apply organic compost or slow-release balanced fertilizer in early spring

– Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which can promote excess foliage over flowers

– Mulch with shredded leaves or bark to retain moisture and improve soil over time

– Self-pollinating; visited by bees and small pollinators

– Flowers are fertile, but propagation is typically via root division, not seed

– Pairs beautifully with Hosta, Heuchera, Ferns, Brunnera, Ligularia, Tiarella, Pulmonaria

– Works well near water features and shaded borders under Cornus or Magnolia

– Combine with dark-leaved plants or pink/blue flowers for soft contrast