How to plant and care for Astilbe

Astilbe × arendsii 'Fanal'

🌸 Flower 🔁 Perennial

Feathery plumes of deep crimson over ferny, bronze-tinted leaves in midsummer — made for damp, shady spots and pond edges.

When to plant and care for it

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

Timed for a typical UK garden (last frost mid-April). The app uses your own town's frost dates.

On planting day
Plant
Plant at the same depth as it was in its pot, 45 cm apart, and firm in.
0–1 days after “Plant”
Water In Well
Give a full can of water, then keep moist for the first few weeks while roots establish.
7–14 days after “Water In Well”
Mulch Around the Base
Spread 5 cm of compost or bark around the plant, keeping it off the stems.

March
Cut Back Old Growth
Leave the dried plumes for winter, then cut everything down in early spring.
March
Divide Big Clumps
Every 3–4 years, lift big clumps, split them into fist-sized pieces with a spade and replant the young outer parts.
July
In Flower
Crimson plumes in flower.
July
Keep Moist
Water deeply in dry weather — astilbes scorch and brown when dry.