Common Name:

General Information

Astilbe rubra is a herbaceous, perennial plant producing a dense cluster of stems 50 - 150cm tall from a thick, branched rhizome[].
The plant is commonly grown as an ornamental in gardens, where it makes an excellent ground cover. It is also said to be occasionally used as a food.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

E. Asia - Russian Far East, China, Japan, Korea, Bhutan

Habitat

Damp woods and along shady streams[]. Open broad-leaved forests, forest edges and amongst shrubs[]. Forests, forest margins, meadows, valleys and riversides; at elevations from 400 - 3,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.70 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Plants are hardy to about -20°c[].
Prefers a rich garden soil, but succeeds in most soils so long as they stay reliably moist in the summer[, ]. Requires a wet or moist peaty soil in sun or partial shade[], growing well under shrubs[]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 to 7[]. Prefers partial shade[], especially if the soil is on the dry side[].
Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[].
There are some named varieties, selected for their ornamental value[].

Edible Uses

Young shoots[]. No more details are given, but the report is likely to be referring to the young leaves in spring before the production of flowering stems[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A first class ground cover plant, the lower-growing cultivar 'Pumila' is particularly recommended[].

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.