Botanical	Astilbe arendsii 'White Gloria'
Common Name	Astilbe (False Spirea)
Family	Saxifragaceae
Size	2-3 eye
Height	24-36"
Spacing	15-18"
Hardiness	Zones 4-9
Exposure	Full shade to partial shade
Foliage	Dark green to bronze, fern-like
Flower	Pure white
Bloomtime	Early to midsummer

General Characteristics: Plant in moist, fertile, humus-rich or boggy soil in full sun or partial shade. Divide every three to four years and discard old, woody rhizomes to maintain vigor. Young foliage may be damaged by frost. Suggested uses: Beds and borders, Bog garden, Containers, Cottage/Informal, Waterside, Woodland. Astilbes are mainstays of shade and woodland gardens. They are clump-forming perennials which feature graceful, fern-like mounds of mostly basal, 2-3 ternately compound leaves, usually with sharply-toothed leaflets, and tiny flowers densely packed into erect to arching, plume-like flower panicles rising above the foliage on slender, upright stems.

Planting Instructions: May be planted in any well-drained soil. Dig a hole large enough to encompass the roots without bending or circling. Set the plant in place so the crown (part of the plant where the root meets the stem) is about 1-2 inches below the soil surface. Cover with soil to the original soil surface and water thoroughly. Easily grown in average, medium, well-drained soils in part shade to full shade. Prefers moist, humusy, organically rich soils. Soils must not be allowed to dry out. If regularly watered, foliage will usually remain attractive throughout the growing season. A summer compost mulch helps retain soil moisture. Removing faded flower stalks will not prolong bloom but may improve plant appearance, particularly if a ground cover look is desired. On the other hand, many gardeners leave the flower stalks in place after bloom because of the continuing ornamental interest of the dried seed heads. Divide clumps when overcrowding occurs (every 3-4 years).

Pests or Diseases: No serious insect or disease problems. Foliage decline (leaf margins brown up), sometimes with significant dieback, may occur in hot summers and/or periods of drought if soils are not kept moist.