Species Chinese astilbe
Pink-purple flowers flowers on a green stem with green leaves in the background.

Chinese astilbe

Astilbe chinensis 'Darwin's Surprise'

Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis 'Darwin's Surprise') is a beautiful and hardy flower that will bring a burst of color to any garden. Its bright pink blooms adorning its delicate foliage make this plant a beautiful and eye-catching addition to any garden. 'Darwin's Surprise' is an evergreen variety and blooms late summer to fall. It is low-maintenance, drought-tolerant, and deer-resistant. Not to mention its distinctive leaves are full of texture and come in shades of green and bronze for added visual interest. All in all, 'Darwin's Surprise' is a fantastic addition to any garden and will surely bring beauty and joy for years to come.

Cycle:

Herbaceous Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

4 - 8

Flowers:

Pink Flowers

Sun:

Part shade,full shade

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Moderate

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis 'Darwin's Surprise') will thrive best in moist, well-drained soil. Water once every 1-2 weeks deeply, allowing the top inch or 2 of soil to dry out between waterings. During periods of hot temperatures, Chinese astilbe may need to be watered twice a week in order to keep the soil consistently moist. It is important to monitor soil moisture levels and avoid over-watering, as this may cause root rot or fungal diseases.

sunlight

Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis 'Darwin's Surprise') flowers best in an area of partial shade. This means it gets better flowering with some direct sunlight in the early morning hours, but the plants should be shaded from high, hot afternoon sun. Ideally, the plant should receive partial sun for 4 to 5 hours in the morning. It should be sheltered from the bright afternoon light so as not to scorch the foliage.

pruning

Chinese astilbe (Astilbe chinensis 'Darwin’s Surprise') should be pruned in late winter or early spring, after the last hard freeze has passed and before new growth begins. Pruning can help keep this perennial looking tidy and encourage new growth. Cut back the previous season’s floral stalks and dead or unsightly foliage to within a few inches of the ground. This will also help ensure the new growth of buds and foliage looks its best. Pruning should be done as minimally as possible to keep the plant looking good without stressing it out.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Chinese astilbe typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Chinese astilbe typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map