Astilbe Astilbe x arendsii
Astilbe (Astilbe x arendsii) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Saxifragaceae family, native to Garden hybrid of East Asian Astilbe species (Japan, China). It grows 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) tall and 50–80 cm (20–31 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 50 cm (20 in) apart.
Plan Astilbe in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Astilbe at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Saxifragaceae |
| Mature height | 50 cm–1 m (20 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 50–80 cm (20–31 in) |
| Spacing | 50 cm (20 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Garden hybrid of East Asian Astilbe species (Japan, China) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇯🇵 Japan |
Is Astilbe toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not listed as toxic by ASPCA; no significant toxicity reported for Astilbe.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Astilbe
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See Astilbe in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Missouri Botanical Garden (6 plants)
- Monet’s gardens at Giverny (24 plants)
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (6 plants)
- Riverside botanical garden (10 plants)
Questions about Astilbe
- How far apart should I plant Astilbe?
- About 50 cm (20 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 50–80 cm (20–31 in).
- Does Astilbe need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Astilbe need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Astilbe?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Astilbe flower?
- From about June for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Astilbe poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not listed as toxic by ASPCA; no significant toxicity reported for Astilbe.
- What grows well with Astilbe?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Astilbe. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Needs consistently moist, humus-rich soil; foliage scorches in dry spells and full sun.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Coral bells (heuchera) Heuchera americana
- Elephant's ears (bergenia) Bergenia cordifolia
- Encrusted saxifrage Saxifraga paniculata
- Purple saxifrage Saxifraga oppositifolia
- Foamflower Tiarella cordifolia
- Strawberry begonia (yukinoshita) Saxifraga stolonifera
- Chestnut-leaved rodgersia Rodgersia aesculifolia
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus