Astilbe, also known as False Goat's Beard', are hardy perennials with striking foliage as well as high-impact, plume-like flowers. Establishing into large, bushy plants with blooms in an array of vivid colours, they're the perfect feature for a damp or slightly boggy border in sun or shade. Partial shade is their preferred position, however these resilient and robust hardy perennials are not too fussy about aspect as long as the soil doesn't completely dry out.

Most Astilbe varieties are typically quite quick to establish. They are clump forming perennials which grow back a little larger each year, gradually spreading to fill a good space with their pretty foliage and flowers through summer.

How to plant:

— Astilbe are supplied in spring as bare roots for planting between February and May. It is important to attend to them soon after delivery as bare roots can quickly lose their freshness and viability if stored. If you can't plant on the day of delivery, remove the plants from the packets within 1-2 days of delivery and place in bucket of water outdoors to soak, then plant within a week.

— Some of the more vigorous varieties of Astilbe can often be successful when planted directly into a border, however the border must have good quality, crumbly and moist soil and the area must be dug over/cultivated and cleared of weeds first. There is a far higher risk of failure when bare root perennials are planted directly in borders due to various factors which can make settling in more challenging and it is not recommended. To greatly reduce risk of failure, they should be potted up into individual 15-20cm diameter pots with multipurpose compost and grown on in a sheltered part of the garden for a few months until they are a little more established before transferring into borders.

— Astilbes can be grown in patio containers but are happier in borders long term. If you intend to grow your Astilbe in a patio container, there is no need to pot up and grow on first. You can plant directly into a 30cm+ diameter patio container filled with good quality multipurpose compost. Whether potting up first or planting directly into a patio container, ensure the roots are fully submerged in the compost and the buds at the top of the root system are level with the soil surface, then water thoroughly.

— If supplied later in spring, bare roots may arrive with pale shoots or leaves. Plant with the roots fully submerged in the compost and the shoots/leaves exposed above the soil surface. They will soon colour-up and continue to grow after being exposed to daylight. Water thoroughly after planting.

— After potting and growing on, your Astilbe plants will ready to transfer into a border once the plant easily comes out of the pot with the soil held intact by the roots. Choose a position, ideally with some shade during the day or dappled shade all day, with rich, moist soil that doesn't completely dry out. Space the plants 30-40cm apart. Add multipurpose compost to each planting hole to help the new roots grow and water thoroughly after planting.

— Monitor your new Astilbe closely during the first growing season, ensuring the soil is kept moist and that more established plants or weeds are not encroaching into its space and competing or smothering.

— Astilbe are hardy to around -20C. They can be potted up and positioned outside to grow on through spring and don’t require any frost protection.

Aftercare

— Deadhead after flowering but leave and enjoy the foliage for the remaining part of growing season.

— Astilbe will naturally die back completely in autumn. When they start to die back, cut all of the stems down to around 3-5cm above ground level.

— These perennials establish over time and may not always flower in the first year. Whether they flower in the first year often depends on the variety, how early in spring it was planted and how well it settles in to the growing conditions. They should always produce foliage in the first year, usually by May when planted in spring.

— Astilbes are clump-forming perennials which grow back larger and with more leaves and flower stems each year. You can divide established Astilbe clumps between autumn and early spring when needed.

— Apply mulch in winter to help maintain a good soil quality, boost nutrient levels and help retain moisture.

— Read further general instructions about planting bare-root perennials