Two proven white varieties
White sits beside pink and red as a basic astilbe colour, and two cultivars lead the field:
- 'Brautschleier' is an Arendsii hybrid whose name is German for bridal veil. It grows to between half a metre and a metre, with open, cone-shaped plumes up to 25cm long in pure white opening from green buds in high summer. Its glossy foliage turns yellow in autumn.
- 'Deutschland' is a Japonica hybrid of about 65cm. It flowers earlier, in late spring or early summer, with slightly arching white plumes of around 18cm over glossy green leaves.
Plant both for a long white season.
Why white works in shade
Dark colours can look dull in a shady corner, while white stands out. A north-facing border, the ground beneath tall trees or the shady side of a house all suit it, and the plumes stay visible as the light fades.
How long does it last in a vase?
Astilbe lasts roughly five to eight days in fresh water when cut as the plume opens. Hot rooms shorten that, so keep it cool.
Does white astilbe have a meaning?
Lists of flower symbolism for astilbe differ, and none is established. White is traditionally linked with purity, which is as far as it is safe to go.
For pet owners
The ASPCA database has no entry for astilbe as a toxic plant, though any plant eaten in quantity may upset a stomach.
