Astilbe 2012

I am a big fan of astilbe, even though mine has never really been that lovely.  I originally had it planted in the rockwall garden and it did nothing but survive...barely.  I was lucky to get two bloom shoots.
During the past couple of years, I have moved it to my Arbor gardens and it is doing much better.

This pink (Rheinland, I believe) was nearly dead when I decided to dig it up and plant it here.  I am so happy that it seems to like this spot.

I have more of this white astilbe, which I believe is the 'Deutschland' that I planted in 1990...yes 1990!  In the rockwall garden, it stayed barely alive for over 20 years.  You can see that 'Deutchland' is very happy in the Arbor garden.  It is getting bigger and better each year.  I guess it just shows that you should never give up.  Keep moving your plants until you find a place they like.  I would suggest that you not wait 20 years like I did to move it.  :)

Here is another white one planted with yellow daylilies:

This is a bit different than my other white ones. . . more feathery...I was searching to see if I could find out what it was and I came across this bridal bouquet made entirely of white astilbe. Gorgeous!

I only have one of this variety, but I can't remember what it is either.  It looks pink here, but when it opens it's more purple:

 Here it is a few days later:

update:  Eileen commented that she thought it was Chinensis 'Visions'. I just found the label and she is correct.  I planted it in 2004.

I hope all of you in the triple digit heat, get some relief soon!  It's gets hot here in the afternoon, but it's been going down to mid 60's at night. I know our heat is nothing like most of you are getting, so I can't complain.

Stay Cool!