Common Name:

General Information

Astilbe thunbergii is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing a dense clump of stems up to 50cm tall from a thick, branched rhizome[].
The plant is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens and is the parent of many named forms.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

E. Asia - Japan.

Habitat

Sunny grassy slopes, C. and S. Japan[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in a rich garden soil if this stays reliably moist in the summer[]. Requires a wet or moist peaty soil in sun or partial shade[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 to 7[]. Prefers partial shade[]. The plant is found in sunny habitats in the wild[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[].

Edible Uses

Young leaves - cooked[, ].
The leaves are a tea substitute[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Only just cover the seed. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame until they are at least 20cm tall. Plant them out in the summer, or late in the following autumn.
Division in spring. This is best done every 3 - 4 years in order to maintain the vigour of the plant[]. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whist smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.