Plant DetailShow Menu

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', 'Deutschland', 'Pastel Perfection', 'Peach Blossom'
Tags:
#white flowers#red flowers#shade garden#low maintenance#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#summer flowers#deer resistant#cutting garden#pollinator plant#heavy shade tolerant#borders#woodland 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', 'Deutschland', 'Pastel Perfection', 'Peach Blossom'
Tags:
#white flowers#red flowers#shade garden#low maintenance#cottage garden#rabbit resistant#summer flowers#deer resistant#cutting garden#pollinator plant#heavy shade tolerant#borders#woodland garden
  • 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.
  • 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
  • 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
  • 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
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • 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