False Goat's Beard Astilbe japonica
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called False Goat's Beard:
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-STIL-bee juh-PON-ih-kuh
- Description
-
False spirea is a rhizomatous herbaceous perennial in the Saxifragaceae family native to Japan and found growing in rocky ravines of the mountains. The specific epithet japonica means "of Japan"
This plant grows in clumps 1.5 to 2.5 feet tall and wide, requiring partial to full shade and moist, rich, well-drained soils. In cooler summer areas, it will tolerate more sun. Propagate by seed or division. It is generally deer and rabbit resistant.
In late spring to early summer, white flowers appear in terminal clusters 4 to 8 inches long. The fern-like leaves are glossy green. Cultivars are available offering a variety of flower colors to choose from.
Use false spirea in the border of shade, cottage, woodland or cutting gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Courtyard Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Bremen'
Rosy-pink flowers - 'Deutschland'
An early blooming (early to mid June) cultivar with white inflorescences, to 2' tall - 'Pastel Perfection'
Shades of pink, peach and cream - 'Peach Blossom'
Peachy colored flowers
- 'Bremen'
- 'Bremen', 'Deutschland', 'Pastel Perfection', 'Peach Blossom'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Bremen'
Rosy-pink flowers - 'Deutschland'
An early blooming (early to mid June) cultivar with white inflorescences, to 2' tall - 'Pastel Perfection'
Shades of pink, peach and cream - 'Peach Blossom'
Peachy colored flowers
- 'Bremen'
- 'Bremen', 'Deutschland', 'Pastel Perfection', 'Peach Blossom'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Astilbe
- Species:
- japonica
- Family:
- Saxifragaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Japan
- Wildlife Value:
- Attracts bees
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Attracts Pollinators
- Colorful
- Shade
- Textural
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- heavy shade, black walnut, deer, rabbits
- Dimensions:
- Height: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
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-
Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Clumping
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Fine
-
-
Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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-
Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Good Cut
- Good Dried
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- White flowers appear in clusters 6 to 8 inches long above the foliage in early spring to late summer
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-
Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Leaf Feel:
- Glossy
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Description:
- Doubly compound leaves are up to 6 inches long and have multiple leaflets with deeply toothed margins
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-
Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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-
Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Naturalized Area
- Walkways
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- English Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Shade Garden
- Design Feature:
- Accent
- Border
- Mass Planting
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Heavy Shade
- Rabbits
