The fern-like foliage and soft plumes of the Astilbe (or false goat's beard) will add a completely different texture to your landscape, particularly in the shadier areas. These attractive plants vary in size from a tiny 15cm-1m tall, and their blooms can reach 60cm on larger varieties. Each astilbe bloom is made up of multiple flower spikes covered in tiny flowers radiating from stiff stems, giving it a feathery look. The variety of sizes and colours of these shade loving astilbes gives you many options: Use small ones as ground covers, tall ones as hedges, or group them together as a feature. Astilbe needs moist soil with good drainage, and a home out of the direct sun. False goat's beards make good cut flowers.