Astilbe chinensis 'Pumila' - DWARF CHINESE ASTILBE 'PUMILA'

Low growing, slowly spreading wide into groundcovering mat. Tolerates more drought than most of other Astilbe. Heat and humidity tolerant too.

RHS Award of Garden Merit.

Dwarf Astilbe, spreads relatively quickly (compared to other Astilbes) via rhizomes. Dark green, ornamental foliage is cut and can remind of ferns

Flowers with pale purple-pink panicles in mid- to late summer. Fragrant flowers, persist as dried seedheads till fall-early winter.

This species of Astilbe blooms later than others, is quite tough and tolerates more heat and drought than others - tolerates means that it wouldn't be happier with more moisture.

Tolerates heavy shade and black walnut.

Best in half or shade border with average soil amended with some compost or leaf mulch.Front of the bed, shaded corners of rain garden or rock garden are great places, as well as shaded places close to the water features or in sunken gardens.

Low maintenance perennial, no serious pests or disease (the only work is to clean the leaves in the prespring). Clumps may want to be divided every 3-4 years

The other used name is Astilbe chinensis var. pumila; other common names include False Spirea, False Goat’s Beard.

Blooming Time : mid to late July - August
Size: up to 12" tall and wide and slowly spreading wide
USDA Zones: 4 to 8
Culture: half to full shade; rich, sandy, clay, or slightly acidic soil, prefers some drainage
Moisture Needs: average to moist
Origin: Tibet (southwestern China)
Deer/Rabbit Resistant: yes / yes
Attracts Butterflies or Pollinators: yes
Attracts Hummingbirds: no
Pot Size: square 3.5" x 4" deep
Plant Combinations: Goes well with most of the partial shade/shade loving perennials, groundcovers and smaller to medium-sized shrubs. Looks the best combined with (slightly) more robust/rough structures - for example with big leaves of Alchemilla,  Anemone hupehensis (japonica hybrids), Bergenia, Brunnera, Heuchera, Hosta, Phlox paniculata hybrids (in half shade), Podophyllum, Polygonatum (Solomon's Seal), Pulmonaria, Tradescantia.

Other good companion can be Actaea (Cimicifuga), Ajuga, Aquilegia, Astrantia (in cooler areas), Chelone lyonii, Chrysogonum, Dicentra spectabilis, Digitalis, Euphorbia amygdaloides, Eupatorium rugosum 'Chocolate', Geranium hybrids, Geranium maculatum,  Geum, Lamium, Galium, Polemonium, Primula, Tricyrtis, Waldsteinia and grasses like Carex (both very narrow-leaved or wide-leaved) or Hakonchloa.
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Picture Copyright: US Perennials