Astilbe chinensis 'Satin Pearls'

– Flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects

– Foliage is deer and rabbit resistant due to its rough texture and bitter taste

– Spring: Emerges early with rich foliage

– Summer: Blooms for 3–4 weeks, beginning in early summer

– Fall: Foliage fades to yellow or bronze

– Winter: Dormant; spent plumes can provide structural interest

– Shaded perennial beds – borders – woodland gardens – mass planting – cut flower arrangements

– Glossy, deep green, compound leaves with serrated edges

– Emerging foliage in spring may have bronze or reddish undertones

– Forms a clean, attractive basal mound that holds shape throughout the season

– Soft, satiny pearl-pink plumes on upright stems

– Blooms in early to mid summer (typically June to early July)

– Plumes are delicate in texture but held upright on sturdy stalks

– Excellent for cut flowers (fresh or dried)

– Best time to plant: Early spring or early fall

– Soil: Requires rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic matter

– Amendments: Incorporate compost or peat moss before planting

– Planting depth: Set crown at soil level

– Spacing: Space plants 16–20 inches apart to allow full form and air movement

– Mulch: Apply a 2–3" organic mulch to conserve soil moisture and regulate temperature

– Deadhead spent blooms to maintain appearance or leave plumes for winter texture

– Cut back foliage in late fall or early spring to prepare for new growth

– Division every 3–4 years rejuvenates clumps and maintains bloom vigor

– Requires consistent soil moisture

– Do not allow to dry out, especially in warmer regions

– Thrives in rain gardens, stream banks, or boggy borders with proper drainage

– Grows best in part shade to full shade

– Tolerates morning sun, but must have moist soil to prevent stress

– In deep shade, flowers may be slightly fewer but foliage remains healthy and ornamental

– Cut flowers just as plumes begin to open for vase use

– For drying, harvest when plumes are half open and hang upside down in a dark, dry place

– Foliage also works well in lush, shaded bouquet arrangements

– Feed in spring with a balanced slow-release fertilizer or organic compost

– Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers which may cause excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms

– Self-pollinating, flowers attract a range of pollinators, including bees and hoverflies

– While fertile, propagation is almost exclusively through division rather than seed

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

– Combines well with spring bulbs such as Leucojum or Anemone blanda

– Pairs beautifully beneath deciduous shrubs and trees like Cornus kousa or Hydrangea arborescens