'Milk and Honey' Astilbe
Perennial
- Long-lasting creamy white blooms later mature to a soft pink.
- Attracts pollinators like butterflies and bees, deer and rabbit resistant.
- Dense, charming plumes rise above mounding foliage and are excellent for fresh-cut flowers and dried bouquets.
- Zones 4-9, part sun/shade, 2.5’ tall x 1.5’ wide at maturity.
ZONE
EXPOSURE
HEIGHT
Description
Astilbes pair perfectly with coral bells and hostas in shade gardens, attracting pollinators and deterring deer. While they can grow in shade, they produce more blooms in light shade or part sun. While they're easy to grow, the key to success is keeping them moist (or even wet), especially in sunnier spots. If your plants are developing brown edges, it's time to crank up the sprinkler. Deadhead your plants for a tidy appearance, or skip sheering to enjoy textured spent flowers through winter!
Details
Common name: False Spirea
Zone: 4-9
Sun exposure: Part-sun (4-6 hours sun) to shade (< 4 hours sun)
Height x width: 2.5’ X 1.5’
Flower color: Blush Pink
Foliage color: Green
Season of interest: Summer, fall
Bloom time: Summer
Features: Deer-resistant, rabbit-resistant, winter interest, wet soils, best for beginners
Uses: Cottage garden, ground cover, pollinator garden, border, massing, shade garden, container gardening, cut flower, edging
How to Grow
Light: Part-sun (4-6 hours sun) to shade (< 4 hours sun)
Water: Average
Spacing: 18”-20”
Fertilizing: Astilbe is a heavy feeder that requires lots of nutrients. Fertilize early in the spring to produce healthy flowers with a 5-10-5 fertilizer blend. After it has bloomed, apply an additional handful of fertilizer around the plant's base.
Winterizing: No specific care is needed. The foliage dies back in winter and can be cleared away in early spring before the plant sends up new shoots.
Maintenance & pruning:No deadheading is required unless you don't like the appearance of spent blooms. If left on, they provide winter interest to the garden. Divide the roots of the plant in early spring or late fall when the plant is dormant.
Plant spacing is based on the ultimate width of the plants. This figure is normally given as a range; for example, 3-5’. If you live in a cold climate and/or want plants to fill in more quickly, plan to space at the shorter end of the range. If you live in a warm climate, are on a limited budget, or are willing to wait longer for plants to touch, use the higher end of the range. Using the larger number is recommended when calculating distance from a building or structure. There’s really no such thing as "maximum spacing": if you don’t want your plants to touch, you can space them as far apart as you’d like. All plant spacing is calculated on center, or in other words, the centers of the plants are spaced one half of their eventual width apart:
Unless you are planting in a straight line, as you might for hedges or edging, space your plants in a staggered or zig-zag pattern for a more interesting and naturalistic look:
Not sure just how many plants will fit in your garden? Our calculator gives you the exact amount of plants required for your space. Simply update the values and the calculator will re-calculate accordingly. Spacing information can be found in the 'How to Grow' tab on each plant's page.
