Product description
Astilbe Happy Spirit brings an elegant touch to the summer garden with tall plumes of creamy white flowers held on striking dark red stems. The airy flower heads rise above a mound of finely divided green foliage, creating a lovely contrast of colour and texture without making the plant feel heavy. Also known as False Spirea, this hardy perennial is particularly well suited to shady borders, woodland-style planting, and containers.
Give Astilbe a position in partial shade or dappled light, ideally in fertile soil that holds moisture but still drains well. It dislikes being allowed to dry out completely, so keep an eye on the soil during warmer weather and give it a drink when needed. As the season comes to an end, the foliage can be cut back once it has died down, while the faded flower plumes can be left a little longer if some extra structure is wanted through autumn.
Please Note: When purchasing plants, please consider that each live item is unique and may therefore differ from the images shown, which are for illustration purposes only. The plant will be supplied in a growers pot. Depending on season, some plants may be pruned back to encourage growth and deciduous plants may arrive without leaves.
Garden Plant Size Guide
Plants in larger pots can be multiple years older than their smaller counterparts with more mature root systems and foliage. This makes them able to thrive as a full size plant in your garden quicker than smaller alternatives.
The most common size of pot that garden plants come in are 9cm/1L/3L/5L this is in reference to the diameter at the top of the pot.
9cm potted plants still remain the most popular cost effective option though, they just may take a little patience to allow them to grow into full maturity once planted in your garden.
Plant specs, care guide & tips
Key features
Specifications
When to plant
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
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Planting and period of interest times are general guidelines and may vary based on your location and conditions. For best results, consult local gardening resources.
Instructions
Top Tip
Avoid cutting Astilbe flower stems immediately after flowering if there is no need to tidy the plant straight away. The faded plumes can catch frost and moisture, giving the plant some winter structure before being cut back in late winter or early spring.
How to Water
False Spirea benefits from consistent moisture, particularly while it is establishing and during warm, dry weather. Give it a thorough soaking when the surface of the soil begins to dry, taking care not to leave the roots sitting in waterlogged conditions.
How to Plant
Plant Astilbe in a position with partial shade or dappled light, choosing fertile, moisture-retentive soil with good drainage. Dig a hole slightly wider than the root ball, place the plant at the same depth as it was growing in its container, then backfill and firm the soil gently around the base.
