False Goat’s Beard (Astilbe)
Written by: Wanda Simone | Last Updated: May 7, 2024
With its colorful blooms and fern-like leaves, Astilbe is a top pick for shade gardens, attracting bees and butterflies while resisting deer, rabbits, and slugs.
Plant snapshot
Scientific name: Astilbe
Plant type: perennial
Zone: 3 to 9
Exposure: part shade, shade
Height: 6″ to 48″
Width: 12″ to 36″
Bloom time: late spring to late summer
Flower color: purple, pink, red, white
Planting Astilbe is a great way to add some color to your shade garden.
With their pretty pink, white, lavender or red plumes that bloom above fern-like foliage in the summer, they definitely make a statement.
Plant them in moist but well-drained soil and water deeply once a week to keep them happy.
There are many different varieties of Astilbe with different heights, light requirements and bloom times, so you’re sure to find some that meet your needs. But be sure to check the tag when you are buying them.
False Goat’s Beard characteristics
False Goat’s Beard blooms
Flower color: purple, pink, red, white
Bloom time: late spring to late summer
Other information: good for cut flowers
Astilbe Foliage
Leaf color: green
Leaf shape: lacy
False Goat’s Beard planting & care
Water: likes consistently moist but not wet soil
Soil: clay soil
Planting: plant in fall, plant in spring
Pruning: Deadheading isn’t necessary since it won’t encourage more blooms.
Fertilizing: Fertilize with a time-release granular fertilizer in the spring before they bloom.
Astilbe benefits & issues
Resistant to: deer, rabbits, slugs
Attracts: butterflies, bees
More information
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