Astilbe satin pearls

We’ve found Astilbe ‘Satin Pearls’ to be a reliable performer here on the nursery, bringing a soft elegance to shadier spots. The flowers are the main draw; dense, fluffy plumes of bubblegum-pink, with each tiny flower showing a darker hot-pink centre. They stand on strong stems above clumps of deeply-cut, dark green foliage that remains handsome all season.

This is a classic, clump-forming perennial that will reach about 70cm tall when in flower. It thrives in soil that doesn’t dry out, so it’s perfect for our British climate. Give it a home in partial or even full shade, in rich, moist soil. It’s more tolerant of drought than some other Astilbes, but consistent moisture will give you the best results.

Once it’s settled in, it needs very little fuss. We recommend leaving the faded flower heads on the plant over winter for a bit of structure. You can then cut the old foliage and stems back in late winter or early spring before the new leaves appear. It’s a brilliant choice for underplanting trees, filling gaps in borders, or planting in drifts near a pond.