Astilbe or Goats Rue

Astilbe or goats’ rue/beard are herbaceous perennials with attractive divided leaves and plume-like panicles of small flowers which come in red, pink, purple or white. Big, beautiful and fluffy flowers are borne in summer and fade to a decorative brown in autumn.

Where to Site Your Astilbe

These are perfect for creating the cottage garden theme or planting as part of a mixed border, normally placed near the front.

How to Grow and Look after Your Astilbe

They grow well in most soil types and will tolerate neutral, acidic or alkaline soils. Some of the newer varieties do better in the drier areas of the garden than the older types, but as rule they normally like to be in damp soils.

Thrive in full shade

They grow into large clumps and can be divided up every few years in the dormant months.