Astilbe ‘Pumila’
'Pumila' in bloom.
* Common name: Dwarf Chinese astilbe ‘Pumila’
* Botanical name: Astilbe chinensis ‘Pumila’
* What it is: An oldie-but-goodie perennial flower that gets spikes of pink in July. Does best in shade and moist soil but is one of the least likely astilbes to fry in hot, dry weather.
* Size: 1 foot tall with 2- to 3-foot spread after several years.
* Where to use: Around a shaded area of a water garden or in any damp, shady area. Also nice in front of shrubs or evergreens in an eastern or northern foundation planting.
* Care: Water in dry weather. Fertilize in spring with an organic, granular fertilizer such as Flower-tone or Bulb-tone. Cut foliage to ground in fall after frost or at end of winter. Optional: snip off flower spikes in late summer after they’re browned out. Spraying usually not needed. Dig and divide every few years in March or September if they’re spreading where you don’t want them.
* Great partner: The lacy leaves of ‘Pumila’ contrast nicely with the larger, rounded leaves of hosta. Boxwood also is a good backdrop partner.