Astilbe

Delicate decorative, long-lived shade-loving perennials with pinnate leaves and magnificent feathery inflorescences. They originate primarily from East Asia, but also from eastern North America. They look best in large-scale plantings. Due to relatively late sprouting, it is good to combine them with early-flowering bulbs. They last 4–10 days in a vase. Harvest as soon as half of the inflorescence is in bloom. They are very sensitive to ethylene released from ripening fruit. Fanal has strikingly garnet-red flowers, and the sprouting leaves are also colored red; for the rest of the season, they have a dark green color.

The 'Pumila' Chinese astilbe brings life to the garden at a time when most other shade-loving plants have already finished blooming. This tiny, compact variety is valued for its late flowering period at the turn of August and September, when its fluffy panicles turn to a deep pink to purple color. It naturally occurs in regions of China and Mongolia, which makes it an exceptionally hardy plant that easily handles even severe frosts. In the garden, it stands out best as an edging for shady beds or in group plantings under taller bushes, where its divided leaves create an interesting structure throughout the season. The inflorescences can be used not only in fresh summer bouquets but are also excellently suited for drying, as they retain their shape and some of their color even when dry. It is a vital plant that is easy to grow and requires no special care other than occasional watering on hot days.