The cultivar name translates to “august light”, alluding to its magnificent feathered scarlet-red plumes that are touted as blooming later than most other arendsii. The erect fluffy flowers ascend on slender stems from a lustrous, bushy fern-like clump of young leaves imbued with rubescent shades plus mature dissected deep greenery. Another spectacular George Arends creation, this Astilbe looks best in sweeps, makes a long-lasting addition to cut arrangements and wards off rabbits as well as deer.

Blooms July–August

Size: 2-1/2' – 3' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Like a grand finale of summer, soft pink, long blooming flower spikes at least a foot tall start heading skyward in late summer and keep going until autumn. Their upright appearance makes for a perfect blend with Molinia, Stachys ‘Primrose Heron’ and Geranium ‘Orion’.

Blooms August–September.

Size: 3' 0" high x 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

It’s a happy chance that this exquisite low growing Astilbe makes a dense, weed-proof ground cover with its glossy, deep green leaves. We plant it under the dappled light of large Hydrangeas, and by midsummer ‘Pumila’s rosy mauve flowers put on a colorful display.

Blooms mid-July–September.

Size: 12" high x 12" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Favored for its spectacular upright architecture, ‘Purpurlanze’ sprouts handsome ternately-lobed dark green foliage crowned by straight lance-shaped purple spires, whose soft tightknit appearance begs a caress. Blooming later than most Astilbes, plus tackling more sun and drier conditions, this showy cultivar’s statuesque accents span nearly three seasons. Relish it in woodland fringes with companions like Persicaria ‘Fat Domino’, Hydrangea ‘Rocklon’ and tawny-plumed grasses.

Blooms August–September

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

This vigorous perennial is indeed superb with urbane jagged-edged foliage, narrow dense spikes of vibrant lavender-pink blooms and a rugged stately constitution that handles more heat and drought than other Astilbes. Distinctive cut leaves emerge a mahogany red and later turn deep green beneath strong, straight-backed tall flowering stalks. One of the latest of the genus to open, the stunning blossoms precede cozy chocolate-brown dried seed heads, forging a dignified presence in the winter garden.

Blooms August–September

Size: 3' 0" – 4' 0" high x 18" – 2' 0" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Lustrous, heavily divided crinkly foliage that sculpts an impeccable small-sized mound sets this AGM winner apart from other Astilbes. Grounded by compact, low growing dark green leaves and reddish henna-suffused young growth, short stiff upright stems unfurl attractive triangular spires of miniature deep rosy-pink flowers. Enduring drier soil in shady spots and nearly full sun in cool summer regions, ‘Perkeo’ can enrich the front lines of a border, a shady rock garden or patio container.

Blooms July–August

Size: 10" high x 10" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

A preeminent white-flowering variety, this japonica hybrid promises to soothe your senses with its large snowy white sprays. Sharply toothed leaves gather in a shiny dark green foil for the branching pyramidal-shaped flowers whose lacy bright blooms fade to green as they wane. Like a breath of fresh air ushering in summer, ‘Ellie’s incandescent beauty can be shown off in drifts, alongside Campanula ‘Kent Belle’s violet-blue flowers.

Blooms May–June

Size: 2' 0" high x 18" wide.

Zone 3/4.

Flamingo pink and proud of it, long arching, plump floral fingers extend out, gracefully cascading from the slightly fragrant, well branched upright panicles. These tapered, broad, airy towers give a long ladylike showing, while a handsome dark green clump of glistening, jagged-edged leaflets does the footwork. An esteemed Astilbe arendsii descendant, ‘Flamingo’ never needs staking, easily melds mauves and blues, and holds our interest into winter when its bushy blooms impart rich brown tones.

Zone 3/4 (pp#12664).

Blooms July – August

Size: 2-1/2' high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Large, open-branched fluffy plumes of petite rich coral pink flowers make a stylish weeping gesture above lush dark greenery, earning this heavy blooming thunbergii hybrid a coveted AGM and celebrated status as one of the most graceful Astilbes. Cultivated since 1952, ‘Ostrich Plume’s delicate looking blooms and vigorous fern-like mounds, which feature sharply toothed compound leaves and bronze-tinged new growth convey dreamy Impressionistic accents, especially when surrounded with Astrantia ‘White Giant’.

Blooms May–June.

Size: 3' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Though this compact low-growing Astilbe is closely related to Astilbe ‘Sprite’, its fine-textured profile is taller and its glossy lobed leaves are a lighter green. The handsome mounding foliage yields firm wiry stems with posh open plumes of petite, starry light pink flowers that produce attractive rust-colored seed heads for winter appeal. Adored by floral designers, butterflies and hummingbirds, ‘Hennie Graafland’s fluffy pastel-hued blooms and steadfast habit prefer even moisture and look best when planted in drifts, either along a pond, pathway or border’s edge, where it braves rabbits, clay soil and occasional drought.

Blooms July–August

Size: 18" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Living up to its name, this dazzling Alan Bloom arendsii selection spotlights feathered pristine white flowers and gleaming medium green compound leaves. The majestic, broad triangular spires top slender upright stems above tailored deeply hewn toothed leaves, imparting a classic combination of green and pearly white. Easily grown ‘Snowdrift’ can be utilized as an edging plant along paths and ponds or be massed as a spectacular ground cover.

Blooms May–June

Size: 2' 0" high x 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.

Winner of the 1994 Perennial Plant of the Year award plus the 1993 AGM, this long-loved Alan Bloom introduction is championed for its drooping, widely spaced shell-pink panicles and urbane, lustrous dwarf habit. Parented by Astilbe simplicifolia and Astilbe glaberrima saxatiles, ‘Sprite’s arching, airy array of star-shaped flowers lingers all summer above dense, fine textured fern-like greenery with bronze hues. Later, spent blooms morph into ornamental rust-colored seed heads, lending cozy late season allure.

Blooms July–August

Size: 12" – 18" high x 12" – 18" wide.

Hardy to zone 4.