Astilbe Visions Inferno

Description

Astilbe ‘Visions in Red’ – astilbe

Botanical name: Astilbe chinensis ‘Visions in Red’
Common names: Astilbe, false goat’s beard
Family: Saxifragaceae
Plant type: Herbaceous perennial
Habit: Clump-forming
Pot size: 2–3 litre pot
Eventual size: Approx. 40–50cm tall × 45cm spread
Foliage: Ferny, divided, dark bronze-tinted foliage; deciduous
Flowers: Dense, fluffy, upright plumes of deep red-purple flowers in mid to late summer (July–August)
Scent: Not notably scented
Aspect / light: Partial shade (tolerates full sun only if the soil stays reliably moist)
Soil: Moist to wet, fertile, humus-rich; must not dry out (though this chinensis type is rather more drought-tolerant than most astilbes); any pH
Hardiness: RHS H7 (very hardy, below −20°C); USDA zones 4–8
Exposure: Sheltered
Native range: Garden form; the parent species are native to Asia
Toxicity / pet & child safety: Generally considered non-toxic to people and pets

Astilbe ‘Visions in Red’ is a compact astilbe with dense, fluffy deep red-purple plumes over dark bronze-tinted foliage in summer. Rich, later-flowering and more drought-tolerant, for moist, shady borders.

GardenAdvice notes

A superb perennial for moist shade, astilbe is grown for its handsome, ferny, divided foliage and its beautiful feathery plumes of tiny flowers in summer, which glow in a shady border and dry to attractive rusty seedheads. It is the classic plant for damp, partly shaded spots — pond and stream sides, bog gardens and moist woodland borders. This is one of the more drought-tolerant astilbes, coping with drier soil than most, though it is still happiest kept moist.

Growing & planting

Plant in spring or autumn in moist to wet, fertile, humus-rich soil in partial shade — the most important thing is that the soil stays reliably moist, though this type tolerates somewhat drier conditions than most. Work in plenty of compost or leaf mould, and mulch. Space appropriately for size.

Care & maintenance

Low-maintenance provided it is kept moist. Water generously in dry spells. Leave the faded plumes standing, as they dry to attractive rusty seedheads for winter, then cut back in late winter or early spring. Feed and mulch in spring. Lift and divide congested clumps every few years in spring.

Propagation

• Division: Lift and divide established clumps in spring, as growth begins.

Pests & diseases

Generally trouble-free in moist soil. Its one real enemy is drought, which scorches and browns the foliage. Powdery mildew or vine weevil occasionally occur. Kept moist, it is easy and reliable.

Uses in the garden

Superb beside ponds and streams, in bog gardens, moist and shady borders and woodland gardens, where its ferny foliage and feathery plumes bring colour and texture to damp shade; the dried seedheads give winter interest and the plumes are good for cutting.

Wildlife value

The flower plumes are attractive to bees, butterflies and other pollinating insects, and the seedheads offer some interest for wildlife.

Toxicity & safety

Astilbe is generally regarded as non-toxic to people and pets.

GardenAdvice tip

‘Visions in Red’ brings rich, deep red-purple plumes and dark bronze-tinted foliage to a shady border, flowering late in the season. Like its sibling it’s a chinensis type, so it tolerates drier conditions better than most astilbes — but for the best plumes and to avoid scorched foliage, keep it reliably moist.

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