Astilbe 'Willie Buchanan'
Garden astilbe, False spiraea
Also known as Astilbe simplicifolia 'William Buchanan', Astilbe 'WM Buchanan'
- Height × spread
- 0.2m × 0.3m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
A pretty, very low growing variety, this astilbe reaches just 20cm (8in) in height. It has very glossy, dark green foliage that contains some vinous red tinting. The leaves are a good foil for the pink to white, rather columnar flowering spikes that come quite late in summer. The foliage is so dark it recedes, and this is best planted <I>en masse</I> for effect.
- Flower colour
- Pink
- Foliage colour
- Green, Red
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Cube
- Height
- 0.2m
- Spread
- 0.3m
- Season of interest
- Summer
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Shady court, Rock garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, likes part shade, tolerates light shade
- Soil type
- Clay, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Damp and wet soil
- Hardiness
- Very cold to -20C (RHS H6)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Rabbit resistant
- Deer
- May be browsed by deer
- Hazards
- No
AutumnNow
Autumn - late · Planting
Divide every 3 years
Physically divide clumps every three years, or the plant will flower and grow less well. Discard or give away unwanted portions, or replant them to make a larger display. Plants can sometimes take a while to recover from this procedure.
Spring
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Found in
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