Astilbe 'Bressingham Beauty'

Astilbe 'Bressingham Beauty': Bright Pink Plumes With a Graceful Arch

Long, arching bright pink plumes that spill over glossy dark leaves like a cascading hairstyle from the eighties. This astilbe is pure pink drama for the shade. TEASED TO PERFECTION.

Plant Characteristics:

• Botanical Name: Astilbe × arendsii 'Bressingham Beauty'
• Common Name: False Spirea, Astilbe
• Height: 90–100 cm (3–3.3 ft) in bloom
• Spread: 45–60 cm (18–24 in)
• Flowers: Long, arching plumes of bright to deep pink, up to about 20 cm (8 in) long
• Bloom Time: Midsummer (July to August)
• Foliage: Glossy, dark green, finely divided leaves forming a mound
• Features: RHS Award of Garden Merit, rabbit resistant, good cut flower

Where to Plant: Use it at the back of a shady border or as a tall accent among lower shade plants, ideally in groups where the arching plumes flow together. It's happiest in damp soil near water features, downspouts or low spots in the yard, and moist clay suits it fine.

Companion Plants: Plant 'Bressingham Beauty' in a moist, shady bed full of contrasting leaf shapes. Heuchera 'Midnight Rose' adds dark purple leaves splashed with pink at 25 cm. Hosta 'Rainbow's End' brings glossy dark leaves with a gold centre at 25 to 30 cm. Cyrtomium fortunei adds stiff, holly-like fern fronds at 30 to 60 cm. Carex 'Ice Dance' edges the bed with broad, white-edged blades at 30 cm.

Plant Care: Plant in part shade in rich, evenly moist soil. Mix in compost at planting and mulch to keep the roots cool. Water through dry spells, especially in its first summer and during August heat. Too much hot sun and dry soil will scorch the leaves. Leave the plumes standing after they fade. They dry to a warm brown and look good into winter. Cut the plant back in early spring. Divide every three to four years in spring to keep the clump strong and flowering well.

History: Garden astilbes come from species native to China, Japan and Korea, and the genus name is usually explained as Greek for without brightness. 'Bressingham Beauty' belongs to the Arendsii group of hybrids and has earned the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.

Final Thoughts: Plant it under trees, by the pond or wherever the hose reaches. Deer and rabbits stay out. BIG HAIR IS BACK, BABY.