Looking For a Real Beauty?

Try the Astilbe "Visions in Red"

It is compact, has cut flower plumes, and is drought tolerant! This compact perennial is easy to grow and even easier to maintain, providing long-lasting beauty with its intensely colored midsummer blooms that are stunning in both garden and vase. And its lush, glossy foliage makes it a delight for containers or borders even when it's out of bloom.

The fat, intensely colored red plumes arise in early summer on compact plants. They begin as pinkish buds, then simply burst into brilliant bloom! Measuring 6 to 8 inches long, these blooms make fabulous cuttings for indoor arrangements, or you may want to let them dry right on the plant as "outdoor Everlastings"! As they dry they age to a rich, deep lavender that's every bit as attractive as the original red! Very long-lasting in the garden or the vase, these flowers are not to be missed!

The plant is compact and handsome even when not blooming, with glossy dark green leaves. It stands just 12 to 15 inches tall and 12 to 18 inches wide -- a good size for containers and edging as well as the front to middle of the border. In addition to its drought tolerance, 'Visions in Red' is also extremely adaptable to heat, humidity, and cold -- just about anything Nature throws its way, in other words! It even handles up to about a half day of sun without losing a petal!

If you like Astilbes in general, you must also try 'Rheinland,' a deep pink. And if you're looking for companion plants, Hostas, Bugbane, and Ferns all make good neighbors. This Astilbe is easy to grow and even easier to maintain, with minimal needs for water and very long-lasting blooms! Do deadhead the spent flowers promptly, though, to encourage new ones to spring up in their place!

Plant 'Visions in Red' in rich, well-drained soil, and water it generously the first few seasons to get it well established. Space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart, depending upon how lush you want the group display to look. Zones 4-8.

Til next time,
Poppy