Astilbe arendsii Brautschleier

Astilbe arendsii 'Brautschleier' is a perennial dedicated to wet soils and semi-shaded exposures. Often planted near bodies of water and in cool understory areas, it brightens up flower beds with its brilliant white flowering. It is also known as Bridal Veil. Its large panicles bloom from June onwards and remain decorative until autumn. They can be used to create large fresh bouquets with a rustic feel.

The cultivar Brautschleier is one of the many hybrids developed by Georg Arends, a German nurseryman. Belonging to the Saxifragaceae family, it is a medium-sized variety, reaching a height of 60 cm (24in) with a spread of 45 cm (18in). It is therefore best placed in the middle of flower beds, surrounded by shade-loving companions such as ferns and Hostas. This rhizomatous perennial forms an upright clump, consisting of stems covered with compound, dark green, shiny, highly dissected, toothed, and deciduous leaves. These provide a backdrop for the plume-like white inflorescences, which can reach a length of 40 cm (16in).

This Astilbe prefers humid, rich, acidic, and even heavy soils. Unlike Chinese Astilbes, it cannot tolerate periods of drought, so it will need to be watered during excessively hot summers. It is best placed in partial shade. It can tolerate exposure to the sun if it is filtered or if its roots remain in moist soil. It is a hardy and robust perennial that requires very little maintenance.

After spring flowers, the tall white spikes of Astilbe Brautschleier welcome summer with freshness and take over before the profusion of summer flowers. Planted in rows, they highlight shaded paths or reflect in ponds. When planted individually, they contrast with their green neighbours, such as Hostas, Ferns, and Solomon's Seal, in shades of white and green. At the end of the season, leave the inflorescences to dry in place to maintain a tall background or remove some spikes to complement large dried autumn bouquets.