False goat's beard - Astilbe

More information about Astilbe

Between June and September, lush flower panicles appear in carmine red, pink or white open above dense, filigree pinnate foliage. When planted flat, the fluffy clouds of flowers create an enormous luminosity. Due to their longevity and robustness, they are also often seen in the perennial borders of public parks and green spaces. The white-flowering varieties, in particular, illuminate dark garden areas very effectively and enhance them visually. They simply belong in every garden. From a distance, the feather-like inflorescences of the white varieties are reminiscent of the native goat's beard or buck's-beard (Aruncus dioicus). If you want to buy one of these plants, the best place to look is here in the Lubera Garden Shop: we offer a wide range of magnificent varieties in different shades of colour from white to pink.

Buy varieties of false goat's beard in the Lubera® Garden Shop

These perennial, hardy plants from the Saxifragaceae family  are originally native to East Asia and can be found in moist forests and along streams in China or Japan, among other places. In total, these plants have 30 different species. For use in the garden, numerous crosses with high ornamental value have been created from wild forms such as Astilbe thunbergii, A. japonica and A. davidii. Probably the best known hybrid variety is the "Arendsii" hybrid named after the breeder Georg Arends. The growth height of these plants varies from 25 to 120 cm depending on the species and variety. Among the smallest is the dainty Astilbe chinensis var. pumila, among the largest, the Astilbe Thunbergii hybrids. A very beautiful white variety is the Japanese false spirea Astilbe japonica 'Deutschland'. It grows about 50 cm high, has fine, feathery flowers and a bushy, tightly upright growth.

Combine with other shade plants

False goat's beards grow in semi-shade in humus-rich, moist soils ranging from acidic to calcareous. They also thrive in more exposed locations. What they do not like at all, however, are dry, nutrient-poor locations. They are at their best when they are used throughout a large area. They can be combined well with other shade perennials such as hostas and also with ferns or grasses. Their preferred habitat is the nutrient-rich edge of woody plants or near ponds. The shoots of these plants are bronze to reddish. Only later do the leaves turn a rich green colour. Since the plants sprout relatively late in the spring, they can be combined very well with early flowering bulbs such as snowdrops, wild tulips or crocuses. The ideal planting distance between the individual perennials should be about 40 cm. Planted in a long row close together, they can accompany garden paths in the form of a small hedge.

Care

False goat's beards are very easy to care for. The withered flower spikes with the decorative seeds remain standing over the winter. Only in early spring, the dead plant parts are cut off to make room for new greenness. It is advisable to supply the individual plant clumps with some well rotten compost in the spring. If the plants look miserable after several years or the planting has become too big, the time has come to divide the plants. In autumn or in the spring, dig out the individual plant clumps and divide them carefully. Once replanted, they can continue to grow with new energy. In general, they are considered to be very resistant and not prone to disease. Only excessively dry locations affect their health. The good news for all gardeners is this: these plants are considered snail-resistant.

Is it poisonous?

No, these pants are not poisonous. Many of the wild species of the false goat's beard are even edible. For example, the young shoots of Astilbe chinensis or the fruits of Astilbe longicarpa are considered a delicacy. The extracts from the root rhizomes of Astilbe thunbergii are said to have a wound-healing effect. If you want to sow the false spirea yourself, sprinkle the seeds into a container filled with sowing soil and press them carefully. They are light germinators, so the seeds must not be covered with soil. Always keep the substrate well moist and place the container in a bright, warm place without direct sunlight until the plants have germinated. Our conclusion is this: if you have shaded areas in your garden, you should definitely buy a false goat's beard to bring light and colour into the dark corners of your garden. The perennial plants are very uncomplicated and easy to grow. This is their biggest advantage: they grow where it is too dark for most other plants. Nevertheless, they are much more than just gap fillers. With their distinctive flowers, they bring new life to shady garden corners.