Astilbe chinensis 'Spotlight'

– Bees and pollinators frequent flowers in bloom

– Deer and rabbit resistant thanks to its textured foliage and unpalatable taste

– Spring: Foliage emerges clean and vibrant

– Summer: Flowers in July, lasting several weeks

– Fall: Foliage may yellow or bronze before dying back

– Winter: Dormant; leave dried plumes for winter appeal if desired

– Shade gardens – floral borders – woodland edges

– Deep green, coarsely divided, fern-like leaves

– Forms a dense, mounded base with good seasonal durability

– New growth may have a slight bronze cast

– Tall, upright plumes of creamy-white flowers with a slightly shimmering appearance

– Blooms in mid to late summer (typically July)

– Flower heads held on strong stems, excellent for cut flowers or soft vertical structure

– Plant in spring or fall while temperatures are cool and soil is moist

– Use moist, rich, well-drained soil, high in organic content

– Mix in compost or leaf mold to improve water retention and fertility

– Plant crown just at or slightly above the soil surface—avoid burying it

– Space 16–20 inches apart to allow mature spread and airflow

– Apply a 2–3 inch mulch layer to conserve moisture

– Deadhead plumes after bloom for tidiness or leave them as fall/winter interest

– Cut back all foliage in late fall or early spring before new shoots emerge

– Divide every 3–4 years to rejuvenate clumps and maintain bloom performance

– Requires consistent moisture—never let soil dry out

– In dry spells, water deeply once or twice weekly

– Thrives in moist, shaded garden beds and along water features

– Performs best in part shade to full shade

– In cooler climates, tolerates some morning sun if moisture is adequate

– Avoid direct afternoon sun in hot regions to prevent leaf scorch

– Cut flower spikes when 60–70% open for floral arrangements

– Dry by hanging upside down in a shaded, dry area

– Not edible or used medicinally

– Topdress with compost or slow-release balanced fertilizer in spring

– Avoid high-nitrogen formulas which reduce flower production

– Refresh mulch annually to enrich the soil organically

– Self-pollinating, attracts bees and beneficial insects

– Flowers are fertile, but propagation is primarily through clump division rather than seed

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

– Use beneath shrubs like Hydrangea macrophylla, Fothergilla, or Ilex glabra

– Great contrast to dark-leaved or burgundy-foliaged perennials