Astilbe ‘Etna’

The collection of Astilbe cultivars in the garden has never looked better. The continual rain this season has ensured the usual crisping of the foliage has not occurred. Family Saxifragaceae.

• Astilbe ‘Etna’ Strong growth to 2 metres +. The pink flower spikes have not been damaged by the weather, loved by bees

There are many cultivars planted to the back of the herbaceous border:

• Astilbe x arendsii ‘Venus’ pink pagodas of colour

• Astilbe x arendsii ‘Gloria’ resembles a smaller sister to Venus

• Astilbe x arendsii ‘Amethyst’ a deeper colour almost purple

• Astilbe x arendsii ‘Irrlicht’ compact white

• Astilbe x arendsii ‘Federsee’ compact, muted pink spikes

• Astilbe ‘Meta Immink’ Slightly later to open, flower spikes leaning south to the sun.

Also worth looking for in the herbaceous border is Filipendula rubra ‘Venusta’ in the Rosaceae family, producing 2 m flower spikes covered in minute pink balls that open out to a fluffy candy floss like mass.