Flower spotlight: astilbe

Originating as ornamentals in Japan in the 1800s, astilbe is a stunning flower that can brighten any room with their tall, feathery-soft looking sprays in reds, purples, pinks, and whites. Astilbe is also known as False Goat’s Beard because it does slightly resemble a beard.

In outdoor flower beds, these perennials are one of the few flowers that will fully bloom in shade. They grow in clusters ranging in size from 6 inches to 2 feet, and the entire plant can grow as tall as 5 feet! The flower clusters sit high above their serrated, glossy leaves, which creates the impressive display that makes them a gardening go-to. @photo by http://protractedgarden.com

Astilbe is a hardy plant that thrives in moist, shady areas. This can make it challenging to find companion plants that not only look good alongside this beauty but also bloom in similar light and moisture conditions. Azalea, hosta, impatiens, rhododendrons, primrose, hellebore, and bleeding hearts will happily bloom alongside your astilbe flowers in your flower beds.
 

Pairing astilbe in cut flower arrangements is generally an easy task since they look great with almost anything. Plus, you can get creative with your containers when using this fun flower! Place them in a mason jar or any other glass, metal, or ceramic container; then add some roses, carnations, and cosmos to create the perfect summer party bouquet.
 

For upscale events, stemmed mercury glasses filled with peonies, hydrangeas, and astilbe will have everyone buzzing. The length of astilbe clusters also makes them a great fit for making a statement with other decor items, such as wreaths and large table arrangements. For centerpieces, try mixing in some plums, grapes, and snowberries. Astilbe also dries nicely, which makes it a perfect companion on a door wreath mixed with dried greenery like eucalyptus.
 

The bottom line is that astilbe makes pretty much anything look great, so if you’re not quite sure what blooms to add to that bouquet or centerpiece, you can’t go wrong with this stunner. And, of course, the Lilygrass team is here to help you create a fresh cut flower arrangement for gifting to a friend or adding striking color to your next event.

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