Astilbe arendsii Walkure

Astilbe arendsii Walkure, also known as Arends' Astilbe, is a hybrid with early flowering. From June, its long pale peach-pink panicles will brighten up the surroundings of water features, shady gardens, wet areas of the garden, or a large container kept moist on the terrace. Its feathery plume-like inflorescences remain very attractive as cut flowers or in dried bouquets. The foliage takes on lovely colours in autumn. For moist soils.

Arends' Astilbe is a rhizomatous perennial plant, with an upright tufted habit and deciduous compound foliage with toothed dark green leaflets. It reaches a height of 60 cm (24in) when in flower and spreads to 40 to 50 cm (16 to 20in). A long-lived plant, it belongs to the Saxifragaceae family. It is one of the many hybrids created in Germany by Georg Arends, obtained from four species originating from East Asia (A. astilboides, A. davidii, A. japonica, A. thunbergii).

Plant Astilbe ardensii in moist to wet, rich, neutral to acidic soil. This hybrid does not tolerate a lack of water. The plant adapts well to clayey soils if they are healthy and fertile. Note that Astilbes do not tolerate winter flooding well. Plant Astilbe arendsii in partial shade or in a sunny but not scorching location: in nature, these plants grow in moist woodlands. Daily watering will be necessary in hot summers. Astilbe arendsii can easily be grown in containers, in flower beds, as borders, used as cut flowers, and dried flowers. In woodlands and of course in flower beds. Combine them with Hostas, Ferns (Athyrium filix-femina), Arums, Cape Lilies (Schizostylis coccinea), and Meadowsweets (Filipendula) or other waterside perennials.

Arends' hybrids present less risk of allergies than other Astilbes. In Asia, dried leaves are sometimes used as a substitute for tea, and young stems are cooked and eaten.