Astilbe…

Love love love Astilbe in the Cottage Garden.  Just when you think the cottage garden needs a little “pick me up” these sweet blooms begin to show their beauty.  They have a whimsy type bloom that stays for weeks and in most cases the color changes throughout the duration of it’s bloom only to increase it’s prolific statement in the garden beds.  I have picked up several varieties to plant throughout Fishtail Cottage’s Garden beds.  I just love the texture  they add to my garden!

Astilbe’s are fabulous here in Washington State in both full sun to full shade. They also seem to do well in both dry & well drained soils. I haven’t seemed to notice a difference in either condition as to which situation they are found to be happier. Each variety has it’s own shade of thick green leaves at the base of the plant and the blooms are unique to the variety as well.  Bloom time is from late July through mid August.

 

Some of the following Astilbe photo’s show what is in bloom here at Fishtail Cottage.

Arendsii Snowdrift / Younique Salmon

 

Visions of Red

Europa / Peach Blossom

Astilbe 'Straussenfeder' Ostrich Plume

These plants are one of my favorites in the cottage garden because they are so low maintenance for me. They are not bothered by garden pests such as slugs or aphids (deer resistant too). They do however attract birds & butterflies. These fantastic blooms make fantastic cut flowers for indoor arrangements. Also make an excellent candidate for a dried flower. But do be vigilant in cutting the faded blooms before they go to seed or you will have a mess in the garden the following year with several new starts “everywhere”!

To see where else I am linking to this week – please check my “Cottage Links” label…xoox, tracie

PS - Fishtail Cottage is now on Facebook