Tall Astilbe davidi makes a lovely background plant. It is an herbaceous perennial with exotic-looking clusters of feathery froth that look as delicious as a strawberry ice-cream soda. Although it resembles some of the Spireas, closer examination will disclose it to be of the Saxifrage clan. If you’re not enough of a botanist to be interested in its family tree, you will be interested and delighted with the blue anthers inside its pink flowers.
This native of China will grow obligingly either in sun or light shade. It puts forth its huge panicles in July when pink perennials are at a premium, but it will not do so without water and fertile soil.
The soil should be deeply prepared and enriched with well-rotted organic material. Although it demands water, don’t let it stand about the fibrous roots. Since clumps are prone to mat until the quality and quantity of bloom is affected, they should be divided every three years. Unlike many other perennials which blossom in mid-summer, Astilbe davidi can be moved satisfactorily during the blooming period, although, perhaps, the best time is in early spring.
