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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Mid summer. Form: Rounded.

Physical Characteristics

Astilbe thunbergii is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.5 m (1ft 8in) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7. It is in flower in May. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Tea

Young leaves - cooked[177, 183]. The leaves are a tea substitute[183].

References More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

None known

References More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Massing, Woodland garden. Special Features: Attractive foliage. Dynamic accumulator.

Special Uses

Dynamic accumulator

References More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Succeeds in a rich garden soil if this stays reliably moist in the summer[1]. Requires a wet or moist peaty soil in sun or partial shade[187]. Prefers a pH in the range 5.5 to 7[200]. Prefers partial shade[200]. The plant is found in sunny habitats in the wild[58]. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits[233].

References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

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The PFAF Bookshop

Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.

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Propagation

Seed - we have no details for this species but suggest sowing the seed in a greenhouse in early spring. Only just cover the seed. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in a cold frame until they are at least 20cm tall. Plant them out in the summer, or late in the following autumn. Division in spring. This is best done every 3 - 4 years in order to maintain the vigour of the plant[200]. Larger divisions can be planted straight into their permanent positions whist smaller clumps are best potted up and kept in a cold frame until they are growing away well.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so itâ€™s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants

Latin Name	Common Name	Habit	Height	Hardiness	Growth	Soil	Shade	Moisture	Edible	Medicinal	Other
Aralia chinensis	Chinese Angelica Tree, Pumila Spirea, Chinese Astilbe	Shrub	3.5	4-8	M	LMH	FS	M	2	2
Astilbe chinensis	Pumila Spirea,Chinese Astilbe	Perennial	0.7	4-8	M	LMH	S	MWe	1	0	3
Astilbe longicarpa		Perennial	1.0	0-0		LMH	S	M	1	0	2

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

Astilbe thunbergii - (Siebold.&Zucc.)Miq.