Astilbe ‘Purple Lance’

Unusual Color and Superb Staying Power, Very drought-tolerant.

One of the finest Astilbes, this Wayside Original Introduction combines a stunning new color with superior drought tolerance and a long season of bloom. The result is a fine garden performer that will keep the shade garden bright from midsummer until well into fall!The plumes are very dense, enhancing their brilliant color. About 12 to 15 inches long, they arise in abundance above the deeply-cut foliage on plants 3 to 4 feet high.

Expect them to begin in midsummer and to continue until the serious cold weather of autumn nips them back. As the blooms age, they darken — a splendid effect.Superb for fresh or dried arrangements, they will last until the first heavy snowfalls of winter, presenting a nice silhouette in the shade garden.But even when this Astilbe isn’t blooming, it’s lovely. The gray-green foliage is deeply incised and very feathery, offering a nice contrast to Hostas and other broad-leafed perennials in the shade border.

Easy to grow, this Astilbe is quite drought-tolerant once established. Give it deep, rich, moist soil with plenty of organic matter, and it will establish quite quickly and bloom for seasons to come.

Zones 4-8.