Astilbe - Visions in Red

DESCRIPTION: Soft, showy dark purplish-red plumes, rising above glossy leaves; perfect in a shady spot with dappled light; prefers moisture so water regularly for abundant flowers and nice foliage.

BOTANICAL NAME: Astilbe chinensis 'Visions in Red' PP11965
OTHER NAMES: False Spirea, False Goat's Beard
AVERAGE MATURE HEIGHT: 30-60 cm
AVERAGE MATURE SPREAD: 30-60 cm
SUN EXPOSURE: Prefers shady areas
FLOWER COLOUR: Raspberry-red
FLOWERING TIME: Summer
FOLIAGE COLOUR: Green
COLD HARDINESS: Zone 3 ( Should survive up to -39.9° Celsius )
WATER NEEDS: Average to moist
OTHER FEATURES: Border, Cut Flower, Deer Resistant, Moisture Tolerant, Rabbit Resistant

Ornamental Features

Visions in Red Chinese Astilbe has masses of beautiful plumes of crimson flowers at the ends of the stems in early summer, which are most effective when planted in groupings. The flowers are excellent for cutting. Its ferny compound leaves remain dark green in colour throughout the season. 

Landscape Attributes

Visions in Red Chinese Astilbe is an herbaceous perennial with an upright spreading habit of growth. Its relatively fine texture sets it apart from other garden plants with less refined foliage.

This is a relatively low maintenance plant, and is best cleaned up in early spring before it resumes active growth for the season. It is a good choice for attracting butterflies to your yard, but is not particularly attractive to deer who tend to leave it alone in favor of tastier treats. It has no significant negative characteristics.

Visions in Red Chinese Astilbe is recommended for the following landscape applications:

• Mass Planting
• Border Edging
• General Garden Use
• Container Planting

Planting & Growing

Visions in Red Chinese Astilbe will grow to be about 16 inches tall at maturity extending to 24 inches tall with the flowers, with a spread of 18 inches. When grown in masses or used as a bedding plant, individual plants should be spaced approximately 14 inches apart. Its foliage tends to remain dense right to the ground, not requiring facer plants in front. It grows at a medium rate, and under ideal conditions can be expected to live for approximately 10 years.

This plant does best in partial shade to shade. It requires an evenly moist well-drained soil for optimal growth. It is very fussy about its soil conditions and must have rich, acidic soils to ensure success, and is subject to chlorosis (yellowing) of the leaves in alkaline soils. It is somewhat tolerant of urban pollution, and will benefit from being planted in a relatively sheltered location. Consider applying a thick mulch around the root zone over the growing season to conserve soil moisture. It can be propagated by division; however, as a cultivated variety, be aware that it may be subject to certain restrictions or prohibitions on propagation.

Visions in Red Chinese Astilbe is a fine choice for the garden, but it is also a good selection for planting in outdoor pots and containers. With its upright habit of growth, it is best suited for use as a 'thriller' in the 'spiller-thriller-filler' container combination; plant it near the center of the pot, surrounded by smaller plants and those that spill over the edges. Note that when growing plants in outdoor containers and baskets, they may require more frequent waterings than they would in the yard or garden. Be aware that in our climate, most plants cannot be expected to survive the winter if left in containers outdoors, and this plant is no exception.