Astilbe
General Description/History
Astilbe is relatively rare as a cut flower. The large flower spikes are made up of hundreds of small flowers arranged in feather-like plumes. Each plume is made up of many tubular-shaped branches of pink-red flowers. White and lavender flowers are also sometimes found. Flowers open from the bottom of the spike upwards. Foliage is fern-like.
This is a popular garden plant in the Northern Hemisphere, where breeding has produced a range of flower and foliage colours.
Astilbe is grown as a field crop. Most are grown in Victoria and NSW.
What to look for
● Buy when 1/2 to 2/3 of the flowers are open, and upper buds are coloured;
● Avoid bunches with yellow leaves, or that drop flowers when the bunch is shaken.
Flower Care
- Keep cool at all times.
- Strip leaves from the lower half of each stem and wash stem ends thoroughly.
- Recut at least 2 cm off each branch and place in water immediately.
- Always use a preservative as this will help buds open.
- Replace vase water with fresh preservative every day.
- These flowers are very sensitive to ethylene. Keep them away from fruit, car exhausts and cigarette smoke.
- Remove dying leaves as these will die off before the flowers wilt.
- Revive wilted bunches by placing them in warm water for 1 to 2 hours.
Botanical Name: Astilbe x arendsii
Common Names: Astilbe, False Goat
Stem Length: 20 to 50 cm
Country of Origin: Japan, Korea, China
Available Colours: Pink, Purple, Red, White
Season: Summer,Spring
Availability: January,February,October,November,Decemeber