Chinese astilbe

Family Saxifragaceae. Native to northern and northwestern China, Mongolia.

Perennial plant up to 100 cm tall. Leaves compound, ternately divided, lacy, glossy, on both sides along the veins and margins covered with small reddish-brown hairs. Basal leaves large, on long petioles; stem leaves smaller, on short petioles. Flowers small, lilac, less often pink or white, in very striking dense inflorescences 30-35 cm long. Flowers from mid-June to early August. Fruits. In cultivation since 1859.

Chinese astilbe has a very interesting dwarf form (var. pumila hort.), 15-25 cm high, with lilac-pink inflorescences, which, spreading rapidly, creates beautiful pink-lilac carpets. Flowers in August - September. Easily adapts to garden conditions. Can grow both in sunny and semi-shaded locations. Less sensitive to drought than other varieties.

Another common variety var. taquetii is a plant with narrow conical, strictly upright stems, 110 cm tall, inflorescences purplish-pink, flowers in August, tolerates drought and can grow in sunny sites.