# Astilbe (*Astilbe chinensis*)

Astilbes are beautiful flowers that come in many colors like pink, red, and white. They grow in clusters and add a lovely touch to gardens and shady spots.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Gardens, Shade
- **Also known as:** Chinese Astilbe, False Spiraea

![Astilbe](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Astilbe_chinensis_var_pumila_RB2.JPG&width=800)

Photo: Radomil, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Astilbe_chinensis_var_pumila_RB2.JPG)

## Appearance

The Astilbe has stunning feathery plumes that burst with hundreds of tiny, star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, red, white, or purple. Its lush, fern-like foliage provides a beautiful contrast, often with bronze or reddish hues.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Saxifragales
- **Family:** Saxifragaceae
- **Genus:** Astilbe

## Interesting facts

- Astilbe's feathery plumes are actually hundreds of tiny, star-shaped flowers!
- Its name means 'without glitter' because each individual flower is so small!
- Some Astilbe varieties can even grow happily with their roots right in shallow water!
- These beautiful plants are members of the same family as the delicate Saxifrage flowers!

## Special abilities

- **Shade Dweller:** Astilbe can grow well in shady spots, allowing it to thrive where many sun-loving plants struggle to survive.
- **Moisture Magnet:** Astilbe has roots that love consistently moist soil, helping it stay hydrated in damp garden areas.
- **Deer Deterrent:** Astilbe has foliage that deer usually avoid, helping it stay protected from hungry browsers.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-100 cm
- **Spread:** 30-90 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Summer
- **Edible:** No
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen
- **Pollinates:** Buff-tailed bumblebee (*Bombus terrestris*) — visits flowers for nectar
- **Pollinates:** Red Admiral butterfly (*Vanessa atalanta*) — sips nectar from blooms

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Cluster Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/cluster-flower): Cluster flowers are inflorescences where individual flowers are arranged closely together on a common stem.
- [Shade Tolerant](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shade-tolerant): Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
- [Summer Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/summer-blooming): Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
- [Fragrant Flower](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fragrant-flower): Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Flowers](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/flowers)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Enjoy the beauty of Astilbes from a safe distance and avoid touching or picking them.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Astilbe?

Count the petals where you can, then compare the flower's center, its symmetry, how the blooms are grouped and the leaves below. Color varies between garden varieties and shifts with the light. Flower Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Astilbe?

30-100 cm

### How wide does Astilbe spread?

30-90 cm

### When does Astilbe bloom?

Summer

### Is Astilbe edible?

No

### Is Astilbe toxic?

None

### What is Astilbe's lifecycle?

Perennial

### How is Astilbe pollinated?

Insect

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

---

Source: [Astilbe: Characteristics, Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/astilbe)